[Friday's Devotional] - Without prayer we cannot win

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship. Job 1:16-20 [NIV]

 

People mistakenly think and blame God for arson, the wild veld fires, the tornadoes and cyclones and others bad things that happen etc. They think its nature and “an act of God”.

 

When such things happen they don’t know what to do. In the passage above, Job’s response is what we need to do – seek the Lord first and then act.

 

In Exodus chapter 17 Moses and Joshua knew the same principle that for every earthly battle there is a spiritual dimension to it. 

 

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.   Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.   As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Exodus 17:8-13 [NIV]

 

God has to be involved if we are to win.  We need to continuously believe that we are blameless before Him and that if we stand our ground through prayer, we will receive our crown.

 

 

 

Farai Mutsambiwa