Keep Your Hands Up!

by

Ex 17:11 – And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.


            Redeemed, rescued, refreshed. These are all terms that described how God delivered Israel out of Egypt. But now they were attacked; taken by surprise. Deuteronomy tells us that the Amalekites targeted the feeble and weary that brought up the back ranks. Moses had to do something, and that something was pray! But he couldn’t “lif[t] up holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8) indefinitely. It was easier to let them down than hold them up.

            We should keep our hands up at all times because the battle is coming (vs. 8). Just when you think things are going well and Satan has left you alone – WHAM, you are attacked again! The timing is normally after a great victory, the nature of it is normally by surprise, and the certainty of it is written in stone. You better “pray without ceasing!” Keep your hands up the battle is coming.

            Others are counting on you. If you don’t pray for them and intercede in their behalf who will? Your faithfulness affects more people than you may realize. Statistics show that parents who aren’t faithful to church are more likely to have kids who follow their pattern. Keep your hands up! It matters to God, and others!

            If you are going to keep your hands up for an extended period of time you are going to have to accept some help (vs. 12). In this case Moses didn’t have to ask for help, Aaron and Hur volunteered it. Often pride and problems are obstacles for either offering help or receiving it. But the fact remains that you cannot do this alone.

            The victory was won because of faithfulness. It paid off and was worth it all in the end. The sun will set one day for us as well. Then we can rest. Until then however, keep your hands up!