Exodus 17:12
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, January 31, 2021
“Lifting Jesus Higher!”
Prominent throughout California’s Mohave Desert are Joshua Trees. Resembling giant cactus, Joshua Trees are actually members of the lily family. They derive their name from the Bible account, found in Exodus 17:8-15, of which a key verse is Exodus 17:12, “Aaron and Hur stayed up hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
As Moses led God’s Chosen People to the edge of the Promised Land, a fierce people called Amalekites attacked. As the battle raged, Moses raised his hands, thereby the Israelites would prevail. When he lowered his hands, the Amalekites would appear undefeated. As Moses tired, Aaron would hold one arm, another man, Hur, would raise Moses’ other arm.
The Bible speaks little about Hur, but he was an invaluable help at a crucial time in Israel’s history. This account further focuses on the value of lifting up our source of victory, Jesus Christ. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” John 3:14 & 15 declares, “even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
“Then said Jesus unto them,” John 8:28 instructs us, “When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then ye shall know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
“And I,” Jesus asserts in John 12:32, “if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Witnessing….testifying…..living for God…..it’s uncomplicated. Lift Jesus higher. No matter where, or when, or to whom…..lift Jesus higher. Nothing eclipses one ordinary human being telling what they know of God and His saving mercy. It’s merely one hungry beggar telling another where to find bread. Simply tell what you know of our Saviour. Lift Jesus higher. Lift Jesus ever higher!
The Lord Jesus is always ready to work with us, as we pray, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven,” in Matthew 6:10. Christ Jesus told the father of a young man delivered from under possession, in Mark 10:23, “All things are possible to him that believeth.” “But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.” Mark 9:27
Try it! Lift Jesus higher. You’ll be absolutely amazed with what happens when Christ is first in your life. “Humble yourselves,” in James 4:10, “in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Jesus is waiting for your uplift!
Link to Youtube – Lift High The Name Of Jesus
