Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.—Exodus 17:8-13
These verses served as such a good reminder for me last night. When prayer becomes weak everything weakens. The Christian life is a battlefield…and the battles we fight are not ours but the Lords. A life without prayer is a life without power. Without prayer there will be no victory. Without the Spirit of God’s help, we are hopeless, helpless and easily defeated. He, unlike us, does not faint or grow weary. He is never discouraged.
Beloved…We can’t do this life alone. We need to pray…not just once in the morning or once in the evening but continually throughout our day. We need to pray not only for the battles that we face, but also for the ones our brothers and sisters in Christ face. Our enemy is strong, and he is relentless. When Moses hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur steadied and supported them. May we do the same for one another.
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.—Hebrews 12:12-13
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.—Romans 8:26-27
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Ephesians 6:10-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:28-31
Father…Forgive me. So often I go about my day as if You are not there…as if Your help is not available for the asking or Your guidance is not desperately needed. You would think the condition of my back and neck when I awake in the morning would remind me of my weakness and need. Sadly, most days it just makes me grown and complain instead of crying out to You to be my strength. Lord, use my insufficiency, my weakness and also my pain to remind me of my constant need for You. Help me to remember to pray and intercede on behalf of those whom Your Spirit places on my heart. O help me to be faithful! Help me to do as David tells us to do in Proverbs 3.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5-6
