February 17, 2021
Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you for joining us today in prayer for our prodigals and for revival. Prayer is an act of faith and an invitation for God to work through us.
Your heavenly Father’s eyes are upon you, whether you’re kneeling before Him, prostrating yourself before His throne of grace, sitting in his presence, or lifting your hands or eyes heavenward. He hears and responds.
Exodus seventeen relates the fascinating account of God’s power at work on behalf of His people in the defeat of the Amalekites. This is the story:
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.’ And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner, saying, ‘A hand upon the throne of the LORD!’” Ex. 17:8-16 ESV
It’s one of those stories that make you thankful to be associated with the God of the Bible. The raised hands of Moses on the mountain indicated his faith in God. It was an outward expression that the battle was the Lord’s. It was an acknowledgment that they couldn’t do it alone. They needed God! When his arms were lifted, there was victory, and when they dropped there was defeat.
What a good reminder that we need to keep our confidence in God both vibrant and strong! That we keep our hands high in prayer to our God who is able (Eph. 3:20). Prayer connects us to God’s divine resources and enables us to move forward in His power and might.
The story also highlights that Moses couldn’t do it alone. Try keeping your arms above your head for ten minutes and you’ll see his dilemma. He needed his comrades to support and encourage him.
While prayer in itself is an individual thing, we need each other. We live in community and without the encouragement of other believers, we would not be victorious for God.
Joshua, down in the valley was engaged in the actual combat of battle. God could have wiped the enemy out by Himself, but He didn’t. He chose to use His people. He chose to use those committed to fighting unitedly for His honor.
It’s the same for us today. There is no question that God could save souls, maintain vibrant testimony, advance His kingdom, and have His name exalted without our involvement or help. Yet this is the beauty of grace. He doesn’t need us but He loves us and He desires to use us. The privilege is all ours. May we serve Him today with prayerful, devoted hearts.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel