Embracing Surrender: The Power of Prayer and Trust

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound significance of lifting up holy hands in prayer and worship, as instructed in 1 Timothy 2:8. This act is not merely a physical gesture but a spiritual posture of surrender and receptivity to God's presence and power. It symbolizes a heart free from wrath and doubt, open to receiving divine grace and strength. This theme is beautifully illustrated in the story of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 17, where God provides water from the rock at Horeb, demonstrating His provision and faithfulness even in the wilderness.

The Israelites' journey through the desert highlights the human tendency to complain and doubt in times of need. Despite their legitimate thirst, their murmuring displeased God, reminding us that gratitude and remembrance of past deliverances are crucial in our spiritual walk. When faced with challenges, we are encouraged to recall God's past faithfulness, which strengthens our faith and trust in His future provision.

Moreover, the narrative of the battle with the Amalekites teaches us about spiritual warfare. The Amalekites, representing the flesh, remind us that our greatest battles are often internal. We must discern between spiritual attacks and the desires of our flesh, learning to fight with spiritual weapons rather than carnal ones. The victory over the Amalekites was not just a physical triumph but a spiritual lesson in relying on God's strength and guidance.

In our battles, we are reminded that Jesus, like Joshua, fights for us. He is our salvation, and through Him, we have the promise of victory. As we lift our hands in prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite His power into our lives. This act of worship becomes a declaration of faith, a commitment to trust in God's promises, and a surrender to His will.

Key Takeaways:

1. Lifting Holy Hands: Lifting holy hands in prayer is a powerful act of surrender and receptivity to God. It signifies a heart free from anger and doubt, open to receiving God's grace and strength. This posture invites divine intervention in our lives, reminding us of our dependence on Him. [07:55]

2. Gratitude Over Complaining: The Israelites' murmuring in the wilderness teaches us the importance of gratitude. Complaining can hinder our spiritual growth and cause us to miss God's blessings. Instead, we should remember past deliverances and trust in God's continued faithfulness. [14:22]

3. Spiritual Warfare: The battle with the Amalekites illustrates the ongoing struggle with our flesh. We must discern between spiritual attacks and fleshly desires, learning to fight with spiritual weapons. Victory comes through reliance on God's strength and guidance. [19:34]

4. Jesus Fights for Us: Just as Joshua led the Israelites to victory, Jesus fights our battles. He is our salvation, and through Him, we have the promise of victory. Trusting in His power and presence is essential in overcoming life's challenges. [19:34]

5. Obedience and Provision: Moses' obedience in striking the rock at Horeb resulted in God's provision of water. This act of faith demonstrates that obedience to God's instructions leads to His provision and blessings, even in the wilderness. [19:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:55] - The Significance of Lifting Holy Hands
- [14:22] - Gratitude Over Complaining
- [19:34] - Spiritual Warfare and the Flesh
- [24:00] - Jesus as Our Salvation
- [28:45] - Obedience and Divine Provision
- [33:10] - The Power of Prayer
- [37:50] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
- [42:30] - Trusting in God's Promises
- [47:15] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Timothy 2:8 - "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
2. Exodus 17:1-7 - The story of Moses striking the rock at Horeb to provide water for the Israelites.
3. Exodus 17:8-16 - The battle with the Amalekites and the role of Moses, Aaron, and Hur in securing victory.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Timothy 2:8 suggest about the posture and attitude we should have in prayer? [07:55]
2. How did the Israelites respond to their lack of water in the wilderness, and what was God's response to their complaints? [14:22]
3. In the battle against the Amalekites, what role did Moses' actions play in the outcome of the battle? [19:34]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of lifting holy hands in prayer and worship? [07:55]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does lifting holy hands symbolize in the context of 1 Timothy 2:8, and how does it relate to our spiritual posture? [07:55]
2. How does the story of the Israelites' complaints in the wilderness illustrate the importance of gratitude over complaining? [14:22]
3. In what ways does the battle with the Amalekites represent the internal struggles we face, and how can we discern between spiritual attacks and fleshly desires? [19:34]
4. How does the narrative of Moses striking the rock at Horeb demonstrate the relationship between obedience and divine provision? [19:34]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge and were tempted to complain. How can you cultivate an attitude of gratitude in similar situations in the future? [14:22]
2. Consider your current prayer life. How can you incorporate the practice of lifting holy hands as a symbol of surrender and receptivity to God? [07:55]
3. Identify a personal struggle that feels like a battle with the "Amalekites" in your life. What spiritual weapons can you use to overcome this challenge? [19:34]
4. Think about a recent situation where you relied on your own strength rather than seeking God's guidance. How can you invite Jesus to fight your battles moving forward? [19:34]
5. How can you practice obedience in your daily life to experience God's provision and blessings, even in difficult circumstances? [19:34]
6. Reflect on a past experience where you witnessed God's faithfulness. How can remembering this strengthen your trust in His future provision? [14:22]
7. What specific steps can you take this week to discern between spiritual attacks and the desires of your flesh? [19:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Surrender Through Lifting Hands
Lifting holy hands in prayer is a profound act of surrender and receptivity to God. It is not just a physical gesture but a spiritual posture that signifies a heart free from anger and doubt, open to receiving God's grace and strength. This act invites divine intervention in our lives, reminding us of our dependence on Him. By lifting our hands, we declare our faith and commitment to trust in God's promises, surrendering to His will and inviting His power into our lives. [07:55]

Psalm 63:4-5 (ESV): "So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? How can you physically and spiritually lift your hands to Him today in that area?


Day 2: Gratitude Over Complaining
The Israelites' murmuring in the wilderness teaches us the importance of gratitude. Despite their legitimate thirst, their complaints displeased God, highlighting the human tendency to focus on immediate discomfort rather than remembering past deliverances. Gratitude is crucial in our spiritual walk, as it shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided. By recalling God's past faithfulness, we strengthen our faith and trust in His future provision. [14:22]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you found yourself complaining. How can you shift your perspective to gratitude and remember God's past faithfulness in your life?


Day 3: Discernment in Spiritual Warfare
The battle with the Amalekites illustrates the ongoing struggle with our flesh. The Amalekites, representing the flesh, remind us that our greatest battles are often internal. We must discern between spiritual attacks and the desires of our flesh, learning to fight with spiritual weapons rather than carnal ones. Victory comes through reliance on God's strength and guidance, as we learn to trust in His power to overcome our internal struggles. [19:34]

Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Reflection: Identify a current struggle in your life that may be more spiritual than physical. How can you equip yourself with spiritual weapons to face this battle?


Day 4: Jesus, Our Champion
Just as Joshua led the Israelites to victory, Jesus fights our battles. He is our salvation, and through Him, we have the promise of victory. Trusting in His power and presence is essential in overcoming life's challenges. By acknowledging Jesus as our champion, we invite His strength into our lives, knowing that He has already secured our victory through His sacrifice and resurrection. [19:34]

Hebrews 2:10 (ESV): "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering."

Reflection: What battle are you currently facing that you need to surrender to Jesus? How can you actively trust Him to fight for you today?


Day 5: Obedience Leads to Provision
Moses' obedience in striking the rock at Horeb resulted in God's provision of water. This act of faith demonstrates that obedience to God's instructions leads to His provision and blessings, even in the wilderness. When we follow God's guidance, we open ourselves to His abundant provision, trusting that He will meet our needs in His perfect timing and way. [19:34]

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (ESV): "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obedience? What steps can you take today to follow His guidance and trust in His provision?

Quotes


Many times we see people in worship and in praise and they lift up their hands and sometimes if you're not used to lifting up your hands you wonder what are they doing but here in first timothy two and eight he says i will therefore that men pray everywhere everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and without doubting and so we see that this is a posture that god has ordained to help us in the midst of our battle in the midst of our prayer in the midst of our intercession to lift up holy hands without wrath without vengeance without a to get back at somebody and without doubting god it's a sign of surrender but it's also somebody said when you turn your hands in it's a sign of receiving from god [00:02:50]

But God does not like a murmurer and a complainer. Remember, murmuring and complaining can cause you to miss what God has for you. Murmuring and complaining can cause you to miss your blessing. And even though the children of Israel, pastor, seemed like they had a reason to complain because they had no water. They were walking in a dusty place, a dry place. How many of you know you can go without food? I think somebody said about 40 days. But you can't go without water too long. [00:06:32]

We need to realize that when we come to the hard place, instead of us complaining, instead of us not knowing what God is going to do, we need to start praising him and thanking him for what he did in the past. I believe that they would. He brought us out of Egypt that would encourage the heart I believe if they said he brought us through the Red Sea see like David learned how to do learn how to remember how God brought you out before some of us are in a hard way even right now some of you are dealing with some stuff and you don't know how you gonna make it [00:08:37]

But I thank God for my wife in the midst of what she was dealing with she said Keith but he brought me out before and if I don't remember nothing else I don't know when I don't know where I don't know how he gonna do it but he did it before and if he did it before he'll do it again I want to encourage you if you don't get nothing else out of this message to always remember how God brought you out and when you start praising him and thanking him for what he did in the past might not been what you wanted him to do but he still worked it out good God Almighty it'll give you strength to go through your season [00:10:10]

He cried unto the Lord and when he cried unto the Lord the Lord told him what to do he told him to take your rod and take and strike the rock my god my god he said when you get to the rock of Horeb I want you to strike the rock I want you to take your rod that I've given you and smite the rock and Moses in his obedience he struck the rock when he struck the rock water came out water came out hallelujah how many know when you obey God the water gonna come out when we obey the Word of God in the Spirit of God does the anointing gonna start flowing Lord have mercy [00:11:25]

And we rebuking the devil in the car. Y 'all heard the story about the devil. The devil came to church. He was sitting outside on the steps. Crying. And somebody said, what's wrong, Mr. Devil? Them people in there, they always blaming everything on me. Y 'all know the church, we blame everything on the devil. Don't get me wrong. Many things do. He is the reason for, but he's not the reason for everything. Amen. Amen. Some things is our flesh. And so in this story, God gave revelation to show us that this is how we fight the battle. [00:14:04]

David said in the Psalms, Lord, teach my fingers, my hands to fight and my fingers to do warfare. Amen. If we're going to be able to defend ourself against the enemy, we're going to have to learn how to fight the good fight of faith. Somebody say the good fight of faith. Why is it a good fight? Because I already got the victory. Any fight that you know you're going to win, that's a good fight. [00:15:08]

Amalek became angry and Amalek was an enemy he was a cousin and so Amalek don't represent the devil he represents the flesh because he was a cousin he represents family he represents our own flesh that's hating on us amen it don't want us to walk in the victory that God has for us the flesh that's jealous of us how many of know your flesh and my flesh cannot please God it can't please God you know why because it knows where it's going the flesh knows that dust you are and dust you shall return [00:15:19]

you have to you and i have to bring him into subjection lord have mercy because he want to ride somebody said don't let him ride and so amalek represents the flesh who comes to torment us he don't fight fair he's like the devil but he's not the devil he don't fight fair if you notice in the scripture it said god told israel that you're gonna have a battle with him from generation to generation you and i gonna have a battle with our flesh until jesus come even when you're older when i talk to older people even in their 90s they still gotta battle their flesh [00:16:33]

God showed us in this story that the Malachites came and they didn't fight fair some people you dealing with they don't fight fair they'll kick you in and below the belt amen they pull your hair scratch you y 'all know how some folk fight you know when we use the box play box we will at least fight fair but when you in a real fight you go for the gut juggler you don't you don't you're not trying to fight fair no holds bar can I get a witness in here and so the Amalekites they didn't [00:21:29]

fair because they would bring their army and fight the women and the children the men are up in the front they would swing around the back and attack them from the rear and fight and kill the older people and the children so God said look Moses write it in a book I remember what Amalekites did and I'm gonna get him that's why I want you to know that if you belong to God you don't have to get vengeance you don't have to fight him like we used to fight him you don't have to be an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth because God got your back he's gonna fight your battle [00:22:09]

While you're fighting, you got to let Jesus fight your battle. I ain't going to fight my battle. When they attacked Moses, Moses said, Joshua, go and get the boys and go and fight. Well, the name Joshua is the same name as Jesus. It means Jehovah is become our salvation. In other words, Joshua. represent Jesus. He wants you to know that Jesus will fight your battle. Jesus will fight the enemy that's coming up behind you. He'll fight the enemy that's trying to take your water, that's trying to take your peace. [00:22:49]

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Transcript
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