Letter 20
My Dear Friends, I do hope this letter finds you well-in-the-Lord, whatever your circumstances. Again I wish to extend my thanks to everyone who has contributed to the website. Thank you, Carol for your faithful updating of the website each week. More often than not, it appears that folk have wanted to share their experience, strength and hope…their prayers, in short. Even when we are back together (in the house!) we must continue to best use of our website. And, if you missed any of the other 19 Letters, you’ll find them in the Archive if you’re at a loss for bedtime reading!
Over the last few years, on the first Saturday of each month between 10 & 11 am, Sion Baptist Church has held its Fellowship Prayer Meeting. Perhaps you might like to join us, wherever you find yourself, in a time of prayer. One thing’s for sure, there’s much indeed to pray for, as ever and every reason to pray. You might want to open your bibles to Exodus 17 and reflect on the passage. I offer a short exposition on the verses as a kind of thought for the day and maybe an aid to your reflections.
Moses took the staff of God to the top of the mountain and held it aloft before the LORD. “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.” This is the staff that he had carried many times before. He was carrying it when God called him and spoke to him from out of a burning bush. He was carrying it when God interviewed him and asked what he was carrying in his hand. Moses held out the staff when the people crossed the Red Sea. The staff of God was always there. The staff was a sign that God answered the needs (wonderfully and miraculously) of his people. On the mountain top Moses said, “Now do it again!” The staff of God is a sign that Moses will be engaged in prayer. Wherever he went Moses’ staff went with him. Chances are that wherever the man-of –God goes prayer goes too. Prayer is a walk. Prayer is as much a way of life as it is an activity engaged in between certain hours of the day. Go on a prayer walk! Keep a journal of prayer.
Quite apart from the answer it may bring prayer is a great benefit to us. Like a runner who gains strength for the race by daily exercise, we gain energy for the great marathon of life by the hallowed labour of prayer. And it was hard work for Moses – the spirit was willing but the flesh felt weak. But as long as he held up his hands the battle below favoured the people of God against Amelek (an old enemy). Even when Moses’ arms grew weary and had to be propped up by Aaron and Hur, the battle below continued in Israel’s favour. While the battle takes place in the valley below, the war is being fought and won on the mountain above. We are sometimes at our most vulnerable to attack from our enemies when we feel weak and worn out. It helps when others come to our aid – it is easier if others are with us – praying for us. Prayer has girded the loins of the warriors and prayer has seen them go into battle with sinews braced and muscles firm. Prayer is the uplifted hands of Moses which rout the enemy more than Joshua’s sword ever could. When the soldiers ask, “Is the Lord among us or not?” There were the hands lifted up to the throne of God!
Prayer combines human frailty with divine strength. Prayer turns our foolishness into His wisdom; prayer gives troubled hearts the peace of God in a way that fighting alone can never do, according to our great Baptist forebear Charles Haddon Spurgeon. And when the hands came down and the battle was won, these events were written down to help the people to remember, and then Moses built an altar to recall that day and he named it Jehovah Nissi – the Lord is my banner! I wonder if that’s why banners are so important to us in church buildings. I think maybe it’s a good idea to record our victories in some ways too…
We look to Jesus as our banner. In our battles with the flesh, the world and with Amelek (the devil), we know that we have gained the victory for His hands remain lifted up to the throne of God. Even if we are weary and at our lowest ebb and even if our friends have some other place to be, we are assured that our great High Priest is “able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them!” (Hebrews 7: 25)
Just a few thoughts. Enjoy your times of prayer. By God’s grace…see you soon.
GB Mark F-R