May 3

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” — Exod 32:30 BSB

The sin was terrible. The people had broken their covenant with God. Their only hope was that Moses would intercede for them. When we break our promises to God, we have the same hope—and it’s the only way to get back into God’s favor.

It’s comforting to have friends who go up into the "mount of prayer" and plead with God for our forgiveness when we’ve sinned. We may never know what blessings come to us, and what sufferings are averted, because of the prayers of our friends. Job offered sacrifices for his children, just in case they had unknowingly displeased God.

But as valuable as human intercessors are, there’s something even better: Jesus Christ lives forever to make intercession for us. When we sin, if we turn to Him, He will plead for us and obtain mercy and forgiveness.