Word of Encouragement (08/23/2022)
This episode is a dramatic example of the power of prayer. Of course, when we speak of “the power of prayer,” we are not saying that there is something magical about the act of prayer itself. If anything, it is an act of humbly acknowledging our helplessness and asking for help: it is a sign of weakness, not strength. If there is any “power” to speak of, it is related to the mighty One, to whom our prayer is directed, not what prayer is in itself.
Today’s passage shows this clearly, doesn’t it? The outcome of the battle in the field depended on Moses’ prayer up on the mountain: “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.” What possible physical connection could there be between Moses’ act of holding up his hands and how the battle was going? None! It was God intervening in response to Moses’ prayer as the intercessor. If God allowed Amalek to prevail when Moses’ hands were down, it was to show how effective Moses’ prayer was and how necessary it was (so that, without it, Israel could not prevail).
Despite this, Moses could not keep his hands up because he grew weary. So, Aaron and Hur had to hold up his hands. This is a powerful lesson about prayer, isn’t it? There are times when we must pray with others for their help and support. I do not deny that prayer is a deeply private affair. It is a thrilling thing to be alone with God and be able to pour out everything that is in our hearts. No one knows and understands us like God. But we are all weak. We can easily grow weary, even in our prayers. What a blessing it is to have Aarons and Hurs in our lives, who can hold up our hands of prayer when we grow weary! There are times we need to be alone. But there are times when being alone, even in the presence of God, can feel desolate and forlorn. Only if somebody can come alongside and cry out to God with us and for us! And what a privilege it is if you can do that for others! We have precious opportunities to enjoy this blessing in our prayer meetings. Would you not say “Yes!” and commit to this life of (congregational) prayer?
Of course, Moses’ intercession in this passage points us to a greater Intercessor, our Lord Jesus Christ, doesn’t it? In Him, we have a far better Intercessor, who does not grow weary in His intercession for us: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34); “...he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
How should we respond to this glorious truth? Should we let ourselves fall into idleness and complacency since Christ is praying for us without ceasing? If we think this way, it is because we are only concerned about ourselves. But is that why Jesus is praying for us so faithfully and diligently? I think that the proper response is this: since Christ is interceding for us without ceasing, we should seek first His kingdom and righteousness and pray for others with faithfulness and diligence. What a wonderful place to be in! We are safe because Christ will not stop praying for us according to God’s perfect will. And we have the privilege to pray for His kingdom and share in its glory! May the Lord spur us on to pray with joy and love and hope more and more!