Thursday of Lent 4

Thursday of Lent 4, March 15, 2018                        Exodus 32:7-14

Moses intercedes for God’s mercy on Israel.  This shows that Moses had grown in love for Israel. He makes intercession although God offered Moses another people but he did not accept it, he cleaves to the sinners, he prayers for the sinners. Moses argues that God’s justified destruction of Israel might cause the nations to blaspheme God and become even more alienated from Him.  Though God would be just in punishing Israel Moses cries for mercy. 

We too cry out for the Savior’s mercy. We ask that God would not deal with us according to our sin. We ask that the Lord would show mercy to our neighbor. We ask that God would be patient with an unbelieving world. This is the life of the Christian. Standing in the position of petitioning the God of grace to have mercy upon us all.  For whom will you plead for mercy today?  

Hymn: Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow (Lutheran Service Book 428:2)
Here the King of all the ages,
Throned in light ere worlds could be,
Robed in mortal flesh is dying,
Crucified by sin for me.

Almighty and most merciful God, drive from us all weakness of body, mind and spirit; that, being restored to wholeness, we may with free hearts become what You intend us to be and accomplish what You want us to do; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

 1. Collect for Thursday of Lent 4, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm