Isaiah 59:15-16 The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.

It strikes me that the verses ahead of this passage could well be describing the situation in much of the world today! However, this says that such a situation pains God’s heart. We must never think that because God allows something, He desires it to be that way. That is something He pointed out to me personally one time, and it has really stuck in my mind and heart. However, we are not to be passive. Verse 16 says He was appalled (amazed in a bad way) that there was no one to intercede. (The NIV says “intervene.”) Even if we can see no way to influence bad situations directly, we can still pray! It still doesn’t depend on us, because the power is all in God’s hands, but we are called to be active channels of God’s will, His heart, to the world around us. If we will not participate, then God will still get the job done, but oh how much better, how much more blessed, how much more glorious, when we take part with Him as His instruments! God has given mankind the privilege of participating in what He does in two ways: either as pawns on the chessboard, or as active collaborat­ors. Which do you suppose is better? Paul used the expression, “God’s fellow workers.” (2 Corinthians 6:1) How do we get to be God’s fellow workers? By letting His Spirit pray His will through us, and then offering ourselves as His tools to accomplish what we have prayed. Some are called to a higher percentage of prayer (in time spent) and some are called to a higher percentage of activity, but every believer is called to both.

Prayer had always struck me as an incredible mystery: why would the words of such as we are influence the activity of the universe? But Scripture, and experience, are filled with practical examples that it is so. That’s why Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock, (Matthew 7:7-8) but He also told us that the Father knows what we need before we ever open our mouths. (Matthew 6:32) It is when we learn to trust God totally with ourselves that we get to the place of true usefulness to Him in bringing His kingdom, His rule, to this earth. That’s what Matthew 6:33 is all about. Intercession is an incredible honor and privilege. I need to accept that honor and privilege more and more, and encourage others to do likewise.

Father, I’m still not sure why You chose to order the universe this way, but I thank and praise You for it. Help me not take intercession lightly, but make full use of it and train the believers to do likewise, so that together we may be Your instruments indeed, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!