“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amelekites were winning” - Exodus 17:11 (NIV)
Who does not need a prayer partner! Moses had been called into a special ministry and had seen the hand of God in many ways. There was never doubt that God was with him and could easily rely on himself. But that was not his way. Faced against a battle with Amelekites he was now getting up in years and could not physically participate in the battle. He found Joshua to lead the troops. And then he knew something more powerful. He turned to God. He instructed Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands as he prayed for his soldiers. “Aaron and Hur held up his hands on one side one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcome the Amelekites... (Exodus 11:12).
This story has many instructive lessons. First, everyone has a role to play and some of us it might not mean being physically involved in the act downstairs but rather upstairs down on our knees.
Secondly, that we may need others to uphold us in prayers too, even as we carry on the task God has called us to. Joshua’s victory depended much on the prayers of Moses who equally relied on Aaron and Hur.
In conclusion whatever God has put on our hearts may we be eager to know our role and find those to lift us in prayer.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, help me through the power of the Holy Spirit know my role and find true saints to uphold me ever in prayer.
Related upcoming events
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19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
