The Rising and the Resting Prayer
Dean Law. Numbers 10:29-32 And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said… I. THE RISING PRAYER. Here is confession, that Israel's onward path was thronged with foes. It is so still, and so will always be. There is no hour when sword and shield may hang unused. Next Moses feels that his own might is nought; vain are his counsels, powerless is his arm. Therefore to God he flees. "Rise up, Lord." So now, if God's right hand be not our help the tide of foes must bear us down. But God is moved by importunities of faith. "Rise up, Lord," is a cry which brings all heaven to aid. It puts sure victory on the wing. Observe here how the prayer of faith yearns for God's glory. "Let Thine enemies be scattered." These enemies hate God. They would impede the progress of His truth. They would extinguish His Word's light. They would cast down His righteous rule. Can faith sit still and see Him thus dethroned? Oh, no! It agonises with desire that He would vindicate His holy cause. uphold His honour, and add trophies to His name. "Rise up, Lord, and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee." II. THE RESTING PRAYER. The going forts would have been ruin except the Lord moved in the front. The rest will be no rest unless the Lord return Prayer called Him to precede their steps. Prayer calls Him to abide around their resting teats. Vast was the multitude. But what are numbers without God? His presence is their power, their peace, their joy, their glory, their strength, their fortress, their shield, and their repose. They know it, and they cry, "Return, O Lord." (Dean Law.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. WEB: Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are journeying to the place of which Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel."