15/2/18 – Exodus 17, Exodus 18 Mark 1:1-28 Psalm 22:1-11

Ex 17:10-13

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.

Why did the battle work like this? It seems initially, strange that the outcome of a battle can be effected by someone who’s not fighting having their hands in the air or not.

But God is using this as an opportunity to teach us a lesson about prayer and about intercession. The people fighting didn’t know if Moses’ hands were up or not – but they were effected by it.

When we pray for people and intercede – they cannot tell. They can’t see it. Intercession doesn’t happen in front of them. But it has an effect. It changes things.

Intercession is about pushing through. Intercession is about keeping on and persisting until the battle is over. And as Aaron and Her showed – intercession at times needs support from others to keep on going.

When you are praying for someone and interceding on their behalf – keep it up. Keep going. Keep on fighting. They may not see the difference initially, but it’s there.

Mark 1:14-15

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

I love the book of Mark – it’s no nonsense – right into the action! In just todays’ reading, less than 1 chapter we meet John the Baptist and he then goes to prison. Jesus is baptised, tempted, calls his first disciples and drives out a demon.

Mark is painting the “man of Action” that Jesus is and his writing reflects that. Buckle up your seatbelts, as we go through this gospel – it’s going to be one fast moving ride!

Ps 22:1-2

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from my cries of anguish?

My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,

by night, but I find no rest

This is the Psalm Jesus speaks on the cross. This is the Psalm that pictures the cross, so many years before Jesus was born.

Jesus was alone on the cross. Even the father had to look away in those moments where He bore all of our sin.

Jesus is the only person who has ever lived to feel that separation. Ever.

And because He bore it, we never have to. God turns away from nobody. We may go through times where we wonder where He is or how He is working, but He’s never left us.

Because Jesus was forsaken – we have been forgiven.

You are never alone. We can never say God has forsaken us. Jesus can. He bore a burden so great and He did it for me and for you. Jesus is amazing!