Day 34: Interceding Love

Opening Scripture

Exodus 32:30–32 (NIV)

30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

Devotional Reflection

God called Moses up the mountain to receive the Law after delivering Israel from four hundred years of slavery. Moses had suffered his entire life for the sake of his people.

As an infant, a decree from Pharaoh ordered that every Hebrew boy be thrown into the Nile River. Moses’ mother could not bring herself to obey. Instead, she placed him in a basket—an ark—and set him upon the waters. He survived the dangers of the river and drifted to the place where Pharaoh’s daughter bathed. She took him in and raised him as her own.

Though Moses lived in privilege, his life was marked by inner turmoil. He knew he was an Israelite and felt the weight of responsibility to act on behalf of his people. Yet he did not know how to bear that pressure. In anger, he killed an Egyptian and was forced to flee for his life.

Moses then spent forty years in the wilderness, carrying the burden of failure and regret—believing he had abandoned his people in their suffering. Finally, the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush and called him to return to Egypt. God’s purpose was not only to rescue Israel, but also to reveal Himself to Egypt. Rather than a quick deliverance, God sent plagues—each one exposing the weakness of an Egyptian god. God desired repentance, but Pharaoh hardened his heart. His anger was taken out on the Israelites, who in turn blamed and resented Moses.

Moses endured suffering his entire life, only to see his people finally set free—yet they repaid him with betrayal. When Moses delayed on the mountain, the people returned to the gods of Egypt, forming a golden calf and worshiping it in debauchery.

Moses could have responded with bitterness. Instead, he interceded. Though he had not sinned, he asked God to take his life along with theirs if forgiveness could not be granted. His prayer revealed deep compassion—even for a people stubbornly committed to their own will, ungrateful for both God’s mercy and Moses’ sacrifice.

When our prayers begin to align with Christ, those who hurt us are no longer the objects of our anger, but recipients of our compassion. We begin to love them as God loves them—even when that love is not returned. We recognize that harmful actions often flow from wounded hearts.

We do not pray against those who wound us, but for them. A fervent prayer life guards our hearts from bitterness, anger, jealousy, and the work of the enemy carried out through hurtful people. We endure our cross by loving those who do not love us back—and we find joy in that love, just as Christ did—because this kind of love has the power to change lives.

The Examen

1. Who has hurt or disappointed me in a way that still stirs bitterness or anger in my heart?

2. How might God be inviting me to intercede for that person rather than resent them?

Lectio Divina Scripture

Luke 23:34

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (NIV)

Read the passage slowly out loud several times. With each reading, emphasize a different word or phrase. Notice what stands out and why.

Prayer Prompt

Lord, shape my heart to reflect Yours. Teach me to intercede rather than accuse, to love rather than resent, and to pray for those who have wounded me. Guard my heart from bitterness, and let Your compassion flow through me. Amen.