Have you ever seen someone make the same mistake over, and over, and over again? And I mean it's obvious, people. It leaves you truly wanting to shake your friend's, your mom's, your brothers's, your boyfriend's, your whoever it is' shoulders. It's exhausting to see them experience the same pain, frustration, or anxiety repeatedly. And if you're being completely honest it's exhausting to pick them up and support them from the same cause again, and again.
Honestly, this is where my mind goes even as I read the Old Testament. You mean to tell me they really forgot God after he parted the Red Sea. They actually started worshiping a metal cow after testing the Lord and him providing what they asked and sending a wasting disease. They witnessed miracles. I mean they really witnessed miracles. And yet they repeatedly turn their back on the Lord. Over and over and over again.
Psalm 106 reminds us of that. And it says in verse 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."
And in verse 30:
"Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed."
The Lord provided these men who would intercede for the people. And He would have mercy on them! And yet there they were falling into the same sinful cycle again. It's exhausting and I can't help but think "how can you be so dumb!" And then I remember.
I remember all the times I've fallen into the trap of self doubt. All the times I've fixed my focus on my plans instead of asking for His. I remember my pride. My stress. My thoughts.
And I remember all the miracles in my life. How faithful the Lord has been. The answered prayers. Am I not cut from the same cloth as these Old Testament people? Again and again God has provided for me. Again and again I worship my own efforts, other sinful people's advice, and my circumstances.
And that's when I had a mind blowing revelation. Something that really I've known for years but that I forget just like my Old Testament brothers and sisters. They had Moses and Phinehas interceding for them. I have the King of kings and Lord of lords--Jesus Christ interceding for me.
He is the one who stands in the breach for me. The one who stands up and intervenes. And my Heavenly Father hears Him and has mercy on me. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for the cross. Thank you that you intercede. Even when I am exhausting. And you see me experience the same pain, frustration, and anxiety. When you have to console me over the same cause again, and again. Thank you. Thank you for your living word that reminds me and refreshes me of who you are and your goodness.
You are the relentless God and in the midst of an exhausting cycle my rest is in you.
