1110. The Arrow of Deliverance

The Arrow of Deliverance

"And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians, in Aphek, till thou have consumed them" (2Ki_13:17, l. c.).

Israel does not stand alone in regard to her enemies. Every believer has just as much to fear from an unseen foe as Israel had from Syria. The truth is, that back of Syria lay forces satanic. We are wrestling not against "flesh and blood but against principalities and powers." We wrestle against "the world rulers of this darkness." We wrestle against spiritual hosts which dwell in the air. We need just as much the arrow of the Lord's deliverance as Joash needed it.

Prayer is the mighty power that throws back the forces of evil. As long as Moses' hands were held up towards God, Israel was victorious in battle. When his hands became weary and dropped down, Israel began to be overwhelmed. We must keep in touch with the throne of grace in order to have victory in the march against the enemy.

Most all of us may have heard of a blacksmith who prayed while Finney preached. It was he who, through his prayers, set a town ablaze.

Our Lord Jesus is our chief example in the life of prayer. He often prayed early in the morning; sometimes He left a thronging crowd, hanging upon His Word, and stole apart to pray; sometimes He spent a whole night on some lone mountain side in prayer to God. Every great crisis of His life was approached from the place of prayer.

Illustration: Queen Mary is reputed to have said, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than an army of ten thousand soldiers."

The arrow of the Lord's deliverance is the life of prayer.

"Don't stop praying! the Lord is nigh;

Don't stop praying! He'll hear your cry,

Don't stop praying for ev'ry need,

Don't stop praying! the Lord will heed.

"Don't stop praying when bow'd with grief;

Don't stop praying! You'll get relief;

Don't stop praying but have more trust;

Don't stop praying! for pray we must.

"God has promised, and He is true,

Don't stop praying! He'll answer you.

No petition to Him is small;

Don't stop praying! He'll give you all.

"Troubles never escape God's sight;

Don't stop praying! He'll make it right.

Faith will banish a mount of care;

Don't stop praying! God answers prayer."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR