Athlete, What Are You Trusting
Read Exodus 17:8-16
Exodus, as much as any book in the Bible, reveals the body-soul, physical-spiritual union of creation. God makes himself known in fire, wind, cloud, water, manna, quail, and physical judgments on Egypt after they had physically oppressed of Israel. Salvation is physical and spiritual in Exodus and in the New Testament. Through Jesus' resurrection, we are raised spiritually and we will be raised in body.
We should not be surprised, then, by Moses’ action in today’s passage. He expresses dependence on God for victory over Israel's attackers in both body and soul (cf. Psalm 63:4; 1 Timothy 2:8). His posture is not necessarily prescriptive for all prayers, but it certainly reveals the importance of the body* and signifies our utter need to rely on God. Joshua, appearing for the first time in this passage, does fight, but victory is with the Lord. Let us never forget!
*In C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, the experienced demon writes to his nephew: “At the very least, they can be persuaded that the bodily position makes no difference to their prayers; for they constantly forget, what you must always remember, that they are animals and that whatever their bodies do affects their souls” (Letter 4).
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. Might a change in posture for some of your prayers help you to pray and rely on God?
2. What are you trusting in for expansion of God’s kingdom in your own heart and in the places and people around you? Take time to lift your hands in prayer. You may want to briefly come back to this passage daily or regularly for a time until you see dependence on God become more established in your life.
Exodus, as much as any book in the Bible, reveals the body-soul, physical-spiritual union of creation. God makes himself known in fire, wind, cloud, water, manna, quail, and physical judgments on Egypt after they had physically oppressed of Israel. Salvation is physical and spiritual in Exodus and in the New Testament. Through Jesus' resurrection, we are raised spiritually and we will be raised in body.
We should not be surprised, then, by Moses’ action in today’s passage. He expresses dependence on God for victory over Israel's attackers in both body and soul (cf. Psalm 63:4; 1 Timothy 2:8). His posture is not necessarily prescriptive for all prayers, but it certainly reveals the importance of the body* and signifies our utter need to rely on God. Joshua, appearing for the first time in this passage, does fight, but victory is with the Lord. Let us never forget!
*In C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, the experienced demon writes to his nephew: “At the very least, they can be persuaded that the bodily position makes no difference to their prayers; for they constantly forget, what you must always remember, that they are animals and that whatever their bodies do affects their souls” (Letter 4).
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. Might a change in posture for some of your prayers help you to pray and rely on God?
2. What are you trusting in for expansion of God’s kingdom in your own heart and in the places and people around you? Take time to lift your hands in prayer. You may want to briefly come back to this passage daily or regularly for a time until you see dependence on God become more established in your life.
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2019
May
Athlete, God CreatesAthlete, You're Made In His ImageAthlete, RestAthlete, RememberAthlete, God UnitesAthlete, Don't FallAthlete, Pain and Frustration Will EndAthlete, Stop ComparingAthlete, There Is No Middle RoadAthlete, Step Out In FaithAthlete, You're CleanAthlete, Know The CovenantAthlete, Know the NationsAthlete, Divisions ExistAthlete, God Makes PromisesAthlete, WaitAthlete, Location MattersAthlete, Who Is Melchizedek?Athlete, You Are IncludedAthlete, God Sees YouAthlete, God Gives Us Signs
June
Athlete, Be RemindedAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Reflect On His MercyAthlete, God Keeps CoveringAthlete, The Wait Is OverAthlete, God Tests Athlete, Put On The QualitiesAthlete, Be ChallengedAthlete, God works Evil For GoodAthlete, Glory is ComingAthlete, God Saves Messy PeopleAthlete, God Provides Athlete, God's in Control Athlete, God is PatientAthlete, Step Out in FaithAthlete, See the MarkersAthlete, Take Time to PrayAthlete, Let's Talk About Fresh StartsAthlete, Love is The CureAthlete, Grace is OffensiveAthlete, See the ForeshadowAthlete, Don't ForgetAthlete, God is NearAthlete, Are You Willing To Learn?Athlete, Give Thanks
July
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August
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