Psalm 106:1-23

“Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” (Psalm 106:23, ESV)

Psalm 106 speaks of man’s rebellion in the face of God’s goodness. The LORD delivered the children of Israel from Egypt and parted the Red Sea so they could cross on dry ground. He covered Pharaoh and his army with water so that the people sang His praise. But they soon forgot His works and yielded to their craving for meat. Later, some of them rebelled against Moses and Aaron so that the earth opened up and swallowed them. They made a calf at Mount Sinai and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox.

God would have destroyed them had it not been for Moses standing in the gap and interceding for them. Moses turned away God’s wrath from His own people. What would have happened if Moses had not done this?

I don’t think we can overestimate the importance of praying for others. We have such little knowledge of how our prayers are making a difference in the battle for the souls of people. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But our prayers can save a life, give wisdom to those who lack it, and turn the tide of the spiritual battle. They can reunite lost sheep to their Shepherd and bring them back into the flock.

Last Sunday, I spoke on the qualities of a good father. One of these is making the most of the time that we have. This becomes increasingly important as we sense the Day of the Lord approaching. If I knew the Lord was coming back next week, what would I do? I think I would pray harder for people I know to turn from their sins and turn to Jesus in faith. This is the only way they can escape the wrath to come. I think of how Abraham interceded for Lot and his family when he knew that the LORD was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

God is searching for people who will “stand in the gap” for others (Ezekiel 22:30). Are you willing to be one of them?