Prevail

[0:00] A pastor's reflections prevail. Exodus 17.11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed.

[0:11] ! And when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.! Psalms 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye.

[0:23] Matthew 28.19 Go you therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Moses' part in Israel's first battle was vital and necessary.

[0:40] As Moses prayed, God's people prevailed. However, there would be no prevailing over the enemy by prayer without Moses first prevailing in prayer.

[0:51] And for Moses to prevail in prayer, Moses had to first prevail to pray. Although there was no enemy standing in Moses' path to the hill of prayer, there was still that moment of Moses choosing to go forward into what may have appeared, by all outward circumstances, as if he was running from the battle.

[1:13] While Joshua was sent to go into the battle by himself, his leader, Moses, was heading in the opposite direction from the battle. There will be times in our lives where it will appear to all involved as if we are simply not engaged, as if we have left a battle.

[1:33] Why would we, like Moses, ever remove ourselves from a fight? Because we do not prevail by effort or action, but by faith and obedience.

[1:45] Moses first prevailed in obedience before he ever prevailed in prayer. As God moved in Moses' heart to climb the hill of prayer, each step up that hill removed him further from the battle, but closer to victory.

[2:00] One would think that the staff of God would be better put to use engaging the enemy in battle than lifted to God in prayer. But God and Moses knew that true victory would not be found in might, skill, or numbers, but in response to faith.

[2:18] Today, it might seem that the church would make better use of its time and resources by engaging the enemy in pitched battle. However, that is not where the victory will be obtained.

[2:30] The enemy and the world will always outmaneuver and outmatch us. The only weapons we have at our disposal to combat the enemies of this world are not found in ourselves, but through obedience and faith in God.

[2:45] As we respond in obedience to climb the hill of faith, God is faithful to turn the tide of the battle down below. Israel prevailed when one man prayed and obeyed.

[2:57] The church will also prevail because one man prayed and obeyed. Luke 22, 42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me.

[3:10] Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Father, I thank you that the outcome of the battle is sure, but my part in the battle may not appear as I would expect.

[3:22] Help me to enter the battle according to faith and obedience to your will. Thank you that there is no chance of the enemy prevailing when we, like Jesus, pray and obey.

[3:34] Amen.