We Need Praying Partners. Exodus 17:8-13 Oct. 16, 2011

A conflict between the Israelites and the Amalekite

The Israelites won that battle because of the support of those who were not actually in the battlefield.

#1. It was God who won this battle not Joshua, Moses, or even the Israelites. [ 이 전투의 승리 원동력은 여호수아나 모세에게 있는 것이 아니라 하나님에게 있다 ]

Moses no power in himself Moses did not won the battle. God God won the battle when Moses reached out seeking his help. They had to come humbly before God, relying on him only.

God will do the fighting for us, if only we rely on him. However, if you lock him out of your life and you’re trying to do things in your own strength, God can’t work. As Christians, we have at our own disposal all of God’s strength and resources.

#2. The battle of the Israelites was a long one. [ 이스라엘 민족의 전투는 긴 전투였다 ]

- The Israelites battled the Amalekites till sunset. It was a long and exhausting battle, but they just had to keep going. We have that little temptation. Our battle to overcome temptations is like the battle against the Amalekites - long and hard.

Instead of giving us an easy rise, God promises to be with us and to help us through anything we may come up against. You’ve got to be prepared for the long battle. We should pray continually.

I often pray, ¨Lord, you are the God of Ebnezer, help me to be conscious of your presence throughout this day. 〃

Serenity Prayer Written by Reinhold Niebuhr ( ) in Early in World War II, The prayer was printed distributed to the troops. Longer versions of the prayer have also been used by AA [Alcoholic Anonymous, 알코올 중독자 모임 ] programs for those recovering from hurts, bad habits and hang-ups.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. -- Reinhold Niebuhr 하나님 아버지, 우리에게 우리가 바꿀 수 없는 것들을 평온하게 받아들일 수 있는 은혜를 주시고, 우 리가 바꿀 수 있는 것들을 바꿀 수 있는 용기를 주시며, 바꿀 수 있는 것과 바꿀 수 없는 것을 구분할 수 있는 지혜를 주시옵소서. 하루를 살아도 한껏 살게 하여 주시고 한 순간을 즐겨도 한껏 즐기게 하여 주십시오 고난은 평화에 이르는 길임을 받아들이게 하여 주십시오 죄로 가득 찬 이 세상, 주님께서 그대로 끌어 안으셨듯이 저도 이 세상을 제 뜻대로 변 화시키려 하지 않고 있는 그대로 끌어안게 하여 주십시오 제가 하나님의 뜻에 항복하기만 한다면 하나님께서는 만사를 다 올바로 이룩하실 것 을 믿게 하여 주십시오 그리하여, 제가 이 세상에 사는 동안에는 소박한 행복을 누리고, 지극한 행복은 영원한 나라에서 주님과 함께 누리게 하여 주십시오. 아멘.

#3. We Need the Support of our fellow Christians. [ 우리는 동료 그리스도인들의 도움을 필요로 한다 ] - Don’t neglect the support of your Christian Friends.

Some of his close friends helped Moses when he got tired. But we all need the support and encouragement of other Christians when things get tough. So join a fellowship group, a bible study group, or a cell group and get connected to some other Christians.

Moses’ intercession made the difference in battle. It wasn't the strength of their army that was critical, but the power of prayer. The praying hilltop overlooking the battlefield was where the battle was truly won.

Some Sundays you may feel discouraged, burdened by various circumstances. The Church supports the hurt, the discouraged, the frustrated, the weak, and the helpless.

We need to lift up the arms of our church members, our Tehillah praise team, our choir members, the our Sunday School teachers and helpers, the volunteers of the broadcasting, our youth group teachers, our cell group leaders, the greeters and ushers, our treasurer, and more.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus needed his disciples’ support. Jesus said, “Jesus began to feel troubled, and then He explained, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

We need someone who’ll say, “Can I lend you a hand?”

- The support group of Aaron and Hur remind us of the importance of teamwork. Ministry is never a one-man show. It is a team working together to advance the Kingdom of God.

INTERCESSORS MUST PRAY WHILE THE SOLDIERS FIGHT. As in Exodus 17, a TEAM of intercessors was needed. Someone spells TEAM like this: T– Together, E– Everyone, A– Achieves, M- More.

Even Jesus needed his disciples to pray with him at Gethsemane (Mt 26). How much more do we, as mortal human beings, need intercessors in our time of need. EVERY TIME WE PRAY, WE MOVE THE HAND OF GOD.

#4. “When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works.”(Max Lucado) [ 우리 힘으로만 일하면, 우리가 일해야 하지만, 우리가 기도하면 하나님이 일하신다 ]

- When Moses’ prayer ceased, the flow of divine power ceased. If we fail to call upon God daily in prayer, then God’s blessings will begin to cease flowing toward us.

Moses found out that he must keep his hands stretched to heaven in prayer. It would be hard for God to release His power into your life, if you do not pray.

[ 예화 ] Charles Spurgeon( ) One day one visitor asked Mr. Spurgeon, “What is the secret of your great ministry?”

Spurgeon’s Tabernacle

[ 결론 ] The power of the victorious Christian is in the knees and lifting up holy hands. We need men and women like Aaron and Hur, people ready to lift up the arms of the weary.

- Aaron and Hur worked with Moses as praying partners. Moses goes to the top of the hill but he doesn't go alone. Just as Joshua gathered others to fight, Moses gathers others to help in the spiritual struggle.

“If God is your partner, make your plans big.” - D. L. Moody

Aaron and Hur present us an example of encouragement. We support the hurt, the discouraged, the lost, the frustrated, the weak, the helpless. That’s what we’re called to do.