Text: Exodus 17:1-13
(Aaron and Hur strengthened Moses’s Hand)
2020 has been declared as our “Year of All-Round Consolidations”, – for individuals, families and the entire church and our Motto for 2020 is “Stronger and more Solid”
Consolidation means Merging or Integration of many items into one. It means bringing together separate parts into a single or unified whole. It is to Unite (unity), combine, it is also solidification. In the Finance world, to Consolidate debt means borrowing one big debt to pay back other small debts to make it easier to manage/repay.
For January 2020, as part of our consolidation – we will be focusing on the topic: Strengthened Hands.
Strengthen: Means to make stronger, more effective, accentuate, amplify, boost, deepen, step up, enhance, broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, accelerate, quicken. We have heard of government strengthening border defences in preparation for terrorist attack or war. They declare red alert, amber /yellow alert, heightened airport checks when they receive intelligence of impending terror attack- strengthening the border. The quality of your input most times determines your output.
In the bible, Moses’ hand was strengthened by Aaron and Hur so that as long as his hand was up, the Israelites kept winning. And they defeated the Amalekites. The Lord is encouraging us to strengthen the hands of our leaders. Who are our leaders in Everlasting Father’s Assembly? Our Pastors.
How can we strengthen their hands?
By not backbiting, not using our tongue to bring them or another person down, but rather, by lifting up one another.
Listening and obeying God’s word from their mouth.
Remembering them in prayers
Supporting the work of God physically, spiritually, financially, etc.
What am I saying? Strengthen, and don’t pull down. Do your own part. You are a part of the whole.
“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 1 Corinthians 12:21 AMP.
Do you know that the eye is connected to the nose, the nose to the mouth, the ear to the mouth etc, the brain controls them all.
As you participate in the work of God, you’re training yourself also. Learning leadership skills, tolerance, conflict resolution, vocational skills whilst supporting one another etc. The body consists of many parts. Let us learn from one another and tolerate one another.
The body consists of many parts. In company recruitment, they try to look for specific qualities when filling job posts. Leadership qualities if it’s a CEO role for example. We have different Personalities as depicted in the picture displayed: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green. Whichever one is yours; you are needed to perform in any team; even in the church.
On a Personal Level:
What areas do we need our hands strengthening this year? There is a saying that: Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. So, in 2020, what do we want to make stronger, like to be more effective at, accentuate, amplify, boost, deepen, step up, enhance, broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, accelerate, quicken?
In 2020, we want to work smart: we hear of Smart TV, Smart highways, smartphones – analysing sleep, activity levels, step counting. We want to be better this year, then we must learn working smart.
Our Sunday School manual of 05/01/2020 says we must “be earthly relevant and heavenly prepared”. You have a unique purpose on earth, in the UK, in Leeds, in EFA, in your own home and as a person. May God strengthen your hands, my hands, EFA family hands to achieve that purpose in Jesus name. Amen.
Make an impact on the earth, let your existence be felt. At the same time, keep your focus on heavenly matters. May God strengthen your hands spiritually.
Not just by prayer, spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We need to spend time in the presence of God, study the word to increase our spiritual strength.
May God strengthen your hands financially. He that does not work must not eat
Therefore; you must work and not wait for manna to fall from heaven. Eccl 5:17, Ps127:2, 39:6.
In the same vein, the bible says; It is dangerous to wake up early work all day and eat the bread of sorrow. What is the benefit of working tirelessly, ignoring our health and retiring in poor health, unable to enjoy the money/ pension you’ve worked for?
“It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious labours— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.” Psalms 127:2 AMP.
May God strengthen your hands physically. You need to be in good health, perfect health if possible, to be able to propagate the gospel.
May God strengthen your academic life, put in the work, burn the midnight oil, play your own part and see God strengthen you from within. He will make you the head and not the tail in Jesus name.
May God strengthen us in marriage. Make our homes a sweet haven. Strengthen us emotionally. May we not be a wreck emotionally in Jesus name. Amen
The sermon was delivered on January 12, 2020.