121 Days of Prayer

I Have Pardoned Them as You Requested

The purposes of this prayer are: Mercy, Forgiveness and Obedience.

Merciful Father, when you directed Moses to send a man from each tribe of Israel into the land of Canaan to scout it out before going to conquer it, only two, Caleb and Joshua, had enough courage and faith in your protection to deliver honest and positive reports, while the others delivered negative and fearful reports of the inhabitants of the land. Their lack of faith in you, Lord, and the decision of the Israelite leaders to return to Egyptian slavery rather than facing the Canaanites so angered you that you appeared to be on the verge of annihilating them and starting over with just Moses’ descendants (Numbers 14:12) until Moses persuaded you to relent: “Please pardon the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of your faithful love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now. The Lord responded, ‘I have pardoned them as you requested. Yet as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, none of the men who have seen my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested me these ten times and did not obey me, will ever see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have despised me will see it. But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it.’” Numbers 14:19–24 (CSB). Gracious Lord, the Israelites’ lack of faith in you was great, but your capacity to forgive them was even greater. Followers of Christ today also benefit from the greatness of your mercy and the forgiveness of sins we receive through our faith in our Savior, Jesus. We thank you and worship you, Father, in reverence and gratitude. Amen.