We Are In This Together

I was reading about an interesting time for the Israelites, and it caused me to think about us.

Israel was in the midst of their Exodus wanderings when an army (of Amalekites) decided to wipe them out.  God directed Moses to pray with Aaron and Hur, and He directed Joshua to take charge of their army.  The fight began, but we read in Exodus 17:11: “When Moses’s hands grew heavy, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed.”

Joshua was fighting as God had directed, but the battle kept changing.  That is when Aaron and Hur each took one of Moses’s arms and lifted them up, so Moses could keep praying.  Israel then won.

Do you realize that Christians are supposed to work together?

Life is hard, but life was never supposed to be lived alone.  God wants His children to work together.  In fact, we read in Galatians 6:2: “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Every one of us should be working together to do God’s will and change the world.

Sometimes He wants you to lead, and when He does, remember what He once told Joshua in Joshua 1:9: “‘Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’”

Sometimes He wants you to get in the fight.  When He does, remember that we are told in 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of the faith…”

Sometimes He wants you to pray for those who are leading and fighting.  Ephesians 6:18 is pretty clear about the importance of that: “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

Those are our options.  We either lead, fight, or pray.  We work together to honor God.

I thought about this because when I read it, I had just been reminded of some church people who often choose to criticize, block, and deceive instead of leading, praying, or fighting the good fight.  Take a few moments to look in your Bible to discover what God has to say about choosing that other path.  It is not good.

We are in this together.  We fight battles daily.  We have an enemy that does not want us to make a difference for God.  We need one another.

Will you choose to deal with life God’s way?  He deserves no less.

When Dr. Jay Cook is asked to share a little of himself; his reply is, “Good question.  I ask it a lot.” His delight is sharing that he is a blessed man – married to a wonderful woman (Kristi Cook) – and awed by his two amazing kids (Jameson & Amelia Rose). He has served in ministry for over 30 years and loves to help others in any way he can. Jay is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Leake County Baptist Association, and a part of an amazing new church (3:16 church) in Canton, MS.  He also helps other churches (as he is able) through revivals, conferences, or however God leads.  He shares his thoughts of a man just trying to live for Jesus (and wanting to help others do the same) through his blog at Dr. Jay Cook.

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Books by Dr. Jay Cook