Our hands perform multiple tasks. With them we work, we cook, we help others. We give. Yet, our hands were also made to reach to God. In Exo. 17, Amalek had come and attacked Israel as they came out of Egypt. Egypt signifies bondage. So they attacked them at a place called Rephidim. Which means, Place of rest. Or to camp out. Yep', we gotta be careful of camping out. Then, Moses ordered Joshua to pick some good soldiers to go and fight against the enemy. What is interesting is that the Amalekites attacked the weary, the women, kids, those who were ill. They were a cold blooded people. Then Moses, Hur and Aaron went to the mountaintop. The Bible says, that when Moses lifted his arms to heaven with the staff, Israel began winning. Remember, the staff was a shepherds staff. Which represents, The Lord is My Shepherd. So when he lowered them, they began losing. Then his team, put a stone under him, while they lifted his arms on their shoulders. Then they had victory. Heavy stuff, heh? What does that tell you and me?
- That there will surprise attacks on our families.
- That after a God moving experience we'll be attacked.
After 8:1-7. God provided water. Which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. After that, the enemy attacked. When the enemy of God attacks, it is solely to distract, demoralize, discredit, discourage and destroy you. So be aware.
People judge Moses for not fighting along his army. But remember, he had to climb the mountain. Then he held up his arms for a long time. You try doing it! You get tired. Then Israel had victory. God has given us victory. We have Him by our side. He will never let you down.
1. But we must be ready to serve as Joshua.
He was ready, willing and able. He didn't question. He went and fought, even though they were deficient in the weapons they possessed. We must be ready for God's call.
2. We must be ready to pray.
Prayer decides battles we face. It sways the tides of history. It opens and shuts the windows of heaven. And it puts to the rout our spiritual enemies.
3. We must be like Hur.
This is what we need more of in our churches. Hur represents those heroes who work behind the scenes. You know, the unspoken heroes. Those who do all the important work of the church. Everybody wants the spotlight. I don't know. There's just something in us that desires to be seen. How many people attend our churches. How many disciples we have. How much we're blessed more than the next person. Maybe when Joshua, came back from the battle he probably recieved praise and adulation for his heroic work. Aaron probably began a worship service. But then, way over there in the distance, you see a lone figure walking. It's a tired and weary man going to his tent. It was Hur. As he entered his tent he was rejoicing at being used by God in helping Moses. Then all of a sudden, out of no where, he hears a voice, a whisper. It said, "Hur, You are my servant. I love you. You are faithful man. Well done!" Then He probably responded, "I Love You, Lord!" You know how God blessed Hur afterwards? Well, his grandson, became the builder and architect of the Tabernacle. Which represents the presence of God. How about that? Wow! Keep those hands lifted!
A water bearer in India carried two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole slung across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. Every day for 2 years the pot leaked, and the servant brought only one and a half pots of water to his master's house. The flawless pot was proud of its ability to do what it was created to do. But the poor cracked pot was so ashamed of its imperfection, and felt terrible that it performed so poorly. One day it talked to the man of its failure. "I’m ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." Why?" he said. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load, for I am cracked and leak. Because of my flaw, you do not get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer looked at the damaged pot with compassion and said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and it was happy. But by the end of the trail, it had leaked out half its load, and again apologized to the servant for its failure. The water carrier said to the pot, "Did you notice that flowers grew only on your side of the path? That’s because I’ve always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. So I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walked back from the stream, you watered them. And they have been the same beautiful flowers in these past 2 years I have been able to pick to decorate my master's table. But it was only because of your imperfection."
We all have our flaws. But we should'nt be discouraged. For if we allow God to use our imperfections. He will do something beautiful.
So C'mon Keep Those Hands Lifted! Leave any praise reports of prayer if you can. Have a beautiful week.
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