“Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Exodus 17:8
The people of Israel tested God. This internal strife was a great distraction to Moses. He handled it with prayer. The enemy attacked at the very moment God provided a victory over themselves. This should never come as a surprise. It is inevitable.
When the army of Amalek attacked the people of Israel, Moses confronted this external opposition with both physical force and spiritual power. While Joshua fought, Moses prayed. In any battle, both are fighting and praying are essential.
People often turn to prayer as an alternative to genuine panic, but rarely recognize it as a source of practical power. Moses was confronted with the destruction of the people of Israel. God’s redemptive plan for the world hung in the balance. He didn’t let the enemy go unchallenged. He called out warriors, and he prayed.
Moses put physical weapons into the hands of the people, and challenged them to defend themselves. He also picked up the weapon of prayer and lifted his eyes to Heaven. When an enemy attack comes, the engagement must be fought on both the physical and the spiritual level.
Some people are so heavenly they are of no earthly good. When they see you in a crisis or their nation battling tyranny, they may tell you they will pray for you. Still, their passionless piety leaves you with the impression that you are on your own. If they won’t lift a finger to help you, or register to vote they can’t be trusted to lift up a prayer for you or your nation.
Still, there are other people so engaged in every conflict and crisis that they have long since distanced themselves from any dependence on God. They have declared their independence, and fight every battle in their own strength. Soon their mission statement becomes, “Die Heretic.” After all the blood is shed, and the bodies are dead on the floor, they gasp, “To God be the glory.”
The essential balance of Joshua fighting and Moses praying should not be overlooked or under-emphasized. There are times when God intends His people to have skin in the game. They are meant to fight the enemy. This does not mean they are on their own, or free to do their own thing.
Prayer is the climate in which every crisis should be handled and every battle should be fought. It clears away the fog of war, and purifies the motive of the warrior.
When the battle began Moses stood on a hill and extended his staff over the conflict. The people of Israel prevailed when Moses interceded for them in this manner. When he tired, the enemy surged in with more power, and the people retreated.
“So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed…when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.” V. 11
Aware of the power of prevailing prayer, two men offered their physical support. Aaron and Hur found a stone so Moses was able sit and to rest. Then they stood by his side, undergirding his arms and extending the staff over the raging battle.
“But Moses’ hands were heavy. They they took a stop and put it under him, and he sat on it, and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek.” v.12-13
NOTE TO SELF: Until you utilize prevailing prayer as the world-class weapon in your battle against evil, you will tire in the fight, without ever realizing the power that is available to you to defeat the enemy you face. Call people to the fight, but don’t ever forget where the battle is won.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!