Title: Don't give up on discouragement, pray
Don't give up on discouragement, pray
Text: Ex 17:8~16
“Moses built an altar and called its name Jehovah Nissi” (verse 15).
The famous English preacher, Pastor Spurgeon, had this to say about prayer. “Prayer is like pulling a cord from below and ringing a great bell in the heavens under the ear of God,” he said. Some people pull the string effortlessly, so the bell does not ring in the sky, and others pull the string only once. However, it was said that those who prayed, which had to receive an answer, held on to the cord and pulled it with all their might.
“Be persevering in prayer, watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
In Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus and said, "Lord, Son of David, have pity on me, for my daughter is terribly demon-possessed." When he did not give up and asked for help, Jesus said, 'I am not sent anywhere except the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' Then the woman came and bowed down to him, saying, 'Help me.' It is not right to get drunk and throw it to the dogs.' But the woman still did not give up and said, 'It is right, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.' It will be all right.” From that time on, the story of his recovery is recorded. Like this woman, we must not give up.
‘Why are you discouraged, my soul, and why are you anxious within me? Put your hope in God, and I will rather praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).
Also look at the parable in Luke 11:5-13 where a friend came to hear the plea of a friend who came in the night.
' And he said to them, "Which of you has a friend, and he goes to him in the middle of the night and says, Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, my friend came to me on a journey, and I have nothing to feed." It is closed and the children are lying in bed with me, so I can't get up and give it to you. I tell you, though I say to you, though he will not get up and give you because of his friendship, he will rise up and give you as he asks for it because of his entreaty. And I say to you, ask, and you It will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. If you are evil and know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
When we pray to God, we should pray once or twice and do not give up or become discouraged if the Lord does not answer us. If it is a prayer that is in accordance with the Lord's will, we must patiently pray and wait patiently (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18).
Sometimes you may feel as if your prayers have no effect. But if you pray for your children, you must believe that prayers are never in vain. Prayer time is a time properly devoted to eternity. There are times when despair takes hold of us so much that prayer seems to be in vain. When God is silent, we sometimes ask ourselves, “Is God really with us?” But surely the Holy Spirit is with you. He is waiting for the best time and praying with tears. We are sowing seeds in the beans now. Although it is not seen now, it will soon sprout and bear fruit. Don't let go of your prayers.
Israel's wilderness life after the Exodus was, in a word, "a series of trials." At the end of one trial, another awaited, and when one was deflected, another came in their march. Through these trials, God trains Israel. It is training to overcome hardship. This also applies to us. In order to live in a harsh world, you must be trained to overcome hardships. Above all, we must learn to pray. This is because no matter how difficult a task may be, if you can pray, you can overcome it. George Mueller says: “Anyone who has not learned the battle of life on the knee still does not know the ABCs of the Christian faith.”
Through this text, we realize two facts about prayer.
First, prayer is the power to resist the devil. Israel's battle is against the "Amalekites" (verse 8). Amalek, a descendant of Esau, attacks God's weary people and opposes God (Deuteronomy 25:18). Even today, Satan attacks the saints when they are tired. Prayer not only provides strength in all areas of our religious life, but also becomes the driving force to overcome evil forces and the devil (Ephesians 6:11-18, Mark 9:29).
Second, we need a prayer network. When the war breaks out, Moses divides the ministry. While Joshua leads Joshua to fight Amalek, he takes Aaron and Hur to the top of the mountain and raises his hands and prays (verse 9). The decisive factor that enabled Joshua and the warriors to win the battle was Moses’ “intercession” (verse 13).
“The Lord is far from the wicked, and He hears the prayers of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).
An employee who was forced to retire at a sawmill in the United States tells his wife in despair. “Honey, I want to die. I've tried everything I've tried, but nothing works." The wife holds her husband's hand and says: “You haven't tried one yet. I have never seriously prayed about this situation or problem.” My husband receives great emotion and challenge, and he wins through prayer and succeeds in recovery. This is Kemons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn. Wilson answers the question about the secret to success. “Prayer changes all things.”
Prayer is acknowledging God as God. God helps us. Finally, he makes us confess. “Jehovah Nissi-Jehovah is the banner of victory, Jehovah has made us victorious!”
If you stop praying, the fighting stops. Prayer makes the saints' arms shine. Satan fears even the weakest saint when he sees him kneel. The busier, more difficult, and the more important the work, the more time we need to set aside for prayer. A few minutes of conversation with God will keep you safe amid the worries and anxieties of modern life.
God answers prayers that we ask without ceasing. Never forget that when we pray to God, He hears us at the best time and in the best way. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may live a beautiful life through prayer today.
* Prayer: Good God who hears the prayers of the saints, help me to taste the power of prayer and become a person of prayer who knows the taste, and let the voice of prayer do not cease. Help me not to be a fool who regrets losing opportunities, but to become a wise person who takes advantage of the opportunities you have given me. I want to be a saint who always strives to pray and actively prays for neighbors and the country. Give me victory by praying without ceasing, in the name of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
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