Day 23.
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (Exodus 17:8-12 ESV)
This passage has many lessons in it. First, we see that the people are engaged in warfare. It is a battle that cannot be avoided as it comes to them. The people of God were under attack. The same holds true today for the Church. We are in a spiritual battle, one that comes to us from our adversary, the devil. His tactic is often to divide and conquer. He would turn the smallest splinter between people into a wedge that drives them apart.
Second, we see that the battle is fought by the people. We must not think that this battle exists only for the pastor or spiritual leaders.
Third, the battle is only won when the leader is lifting up his hands to God in prayer. This is a lesson to all of us who have been called to a position of leadership. Prayer is the work that we are given on behalf of he people who fight against the evil one. Prayer is vital to maintain as we see that when we grow weary or letup, the enemy begins to prevail.
Fourth, the leader does grow weary and needs others to lift him up that he might continue to pray. People in the Church need to lift up their leaders in prayer! This was our commitment last February when we held an armorbearer Sunday. We must remember this commitment and take it back up if we have forgotten, lest the enemy advance against us.
Lord, I pray for victory for Cornerstone in the battle with our enemy, the devil. Protect us from bitterness and grudges. Grant us grace to forgive and love one another so that our love covers over a multitude of sins. Do not allow splinters to become wedges. Give us a heart that longs to be satisfied with a deeper relationship with you, particularly one that desires to know you in prayer.
