Dr. Wilbur Chapman recalled his experience when, as a young man, he went to become the pastor of a church in Philadelphia. After his first sermon, an old gentleman accosted him, “You’re pretty young to be pastor of this church. But you preach the gospel, and I’m going to help you. I’m going to pray for you that you may have the Holy Spirit’s power upon you.
Two others have covenanted to join me in prayers for you”. From the initial three that started the prayer, they became 10; the 10 became 20, 20 became 50 and the number further grew to 200. They all met before every service to pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon him.
God, in His mercy, answered the prayers and the church got 1,100 converts in three years. Chapman commented: “It was the work of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer”.
In EXODUS 17:8-16, the Amalekites had made themselves enemies of the Israelites. When they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, Moses ordered Joshua to go up against them. Joshua mobilized some men for the battle, while Moses took Aaron and Hur with him to the hilltop. As the battle was going on, anytime Moses’ hands dropped down, Israel would start losing in the battle, but when his hands went up, Israel would gain ground.
So, Aaron and Hur found a seat for Moses and supported his arms. With this assistance, Moses was able to keep his hands firm and sustained the battle against the Amalekites.
What is your disposition to the devil’s plot to make sports of brethren, members of your family or church? Do you look indifferent to their plight? The devil has afflicted some people with sicknesses, barrenness, joblessness and other challenges of life. Do you look away from their needs? Moses could not do that when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites.
Now we need to pray to God to give us the right spirit, burden and compassion to be our brother’s keeper.
Thought for the day: Share the throne-room of intercession with Christ for the good of fellow men.
Prayer: “But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (EXODUS 17:12).