Key to Victory

TODAY'S READING: Ex. 17, 18, 19 20; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE: Ex. 17:8-13
⁸ The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. ⁹ Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

¹⁰ So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

OBSERVATION: The nation of Israel are under attack. They have been slaves for 400 years and used to taking orders, not fighting. This is the first battle the Hebrews are involved in and the attack was not expected. As long as Moses had his hand raised in worship to God, Israel prevailed. When Moses got tired and lowered his arms, the enemy prevailed. So Moses had helpers that came alongside him to help hold up his arms when his own strength was gone.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we face "battles" in our lives that weary us. We may stay strong in God and prevail against the enemy of our souls for awhile bu then grow tired and discouraged and start losing focus and victory. Just like Moses, we need helpers during those times. It is one of the main functions of the Church. We are part of a Body so that we have others around who can lift us up and support us when we are unable, for whatever reason, to stand and fight Satan. In order for this to work, we need to be open with others and cultivate close relationship with them. We need to admit when we are weak and struggling to others so that we may receive help. Our culture reveres self-reliance so much that we are often too proud to ask others for help. We see it as a sign of weakness. That is a lie that Satan wants us to buy into. It makes it easier for him to "pick us off".

PRAYER: Father, help us as the Church to function the way you have called us to; in love, preference, and support for one another. Help me to be open with others when I need their help and let me be sensitive to when others need mine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.