Those Constant Battles
Exodus 17:8–9 (ESV) Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 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.”
The Amalekites are fierce foes of Israel from the moment they are free from Egypt. They come from Esau's grandson Amalek and take on Israel at Rephidim in hated animosity. This enemy will remain Israel's bitter rivals for centuries until the later part of David's reign.
Sometimes you're going to have to deal with persistent trouble as you journey in God. It may not necessarily be people. It may be habits, addictions, pride or envy. These battles all have one thing in common no matter what they are: They don't just give up and go away.
Now Moses knew what the answer was: Fight and pray. We have a famous image here of Moses holding up his hands for intercession as the war rages on:
Exodus 17:10–11 (ESV) So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
First, we must remember that just being saved is not a reason to take it easy. There will be more battles ahead between the days of your former life and you ultimate heavenly rest in God. To be a Christian is to enter into a new dimension of difficulty. The world will not simply let you move forward in the plan of God. The flesh will rage and the enemy will come in like a flood.
The Amalekites are fierce foes of Israel from the moment they are free from Egypt. They come from Esau's grandson Amalek and take on Israel at Rephidim in hated animosity. This enemy will remain Israel's bitter rivals for centuries until the later part of David's reign.
Sometimes you're going to have to deal with persistent trouble as you journey in God. It may not necessarily be people. It may be habits, addictions, pride or envy. These battles all have one thing in common no matter what they are: They don't just give up and go away.
Now Moses knew what the answer was: Fight and pray. We have a famous image here of Moses holding up his hands for intercession as the war rages on:
Exodus 17:10–11 (ESV) So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
First, we must remember that just being saved is not a reason to take it easy. There will be more battles ahead between the days of your former life and you ultimate heavenly rest in God. To be a Christian is to enter into a new dimension of difficulty. The world will not simply let you move forward in the plan of God. The flesh will rage and the enemy will come in like a flood.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Second, we must understand that our persistent battles come at us when we are tired. Notice how Moses recollects this moment in his sermon from Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 25:17–18 (ESV) “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 18 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God.
It is the faint saint who comes under the attacks of the enemy. Do not let weariness be a regular part of your life. Rest physically with sleep and moderate work. Rest spiritually in prayer and meditation on the Word. Rest fully in the finished work of Christ on your behalf.
Third, we must remember that even the persistent battles we face are ultimately a spiritual battle. Joshua fought valiantly while Moses made intercession before God. Please notice that while Joshua did the physical battling with swords and shields, the spiritual battle accompanied the physical work of the fight. The two are meant to work together. I have seen Churches and Christians think only prayer does it all. I have seen Churches and Christians believe only work and busyness please God. Either extreme will prove ineffective. Our model of course is Jesus. He worked tirelessly for others while escaping regularly in prayer.
Finally and most importantly, we must remember that we have someone greater than Moses who keeps on interceding for the saints in accordance with God's will. And he never grows tired in heaven for us! This is not an unfair battle for us. It is so for our enemies. You have the advantage because of the Lord who has paved the way for victory.
Romans 8:34 (ESV) Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Every Christian can be confident in the battles they face. Eventually the enemy loses because our Champion never failed to fulfill God's promise for us and will not fail us in the future.
Second, we must understand that our persistent battles come at us when we are tired. Notice how Moses recollects this moment in his sermon from Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 25:17–18 (ESV) “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 18 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God.
Finally and most importantly, we must remember that we have someone greater than Moses who keeps on interceding for the saints in accordance with God's will. And he never grows tired in heaven for us! This is not an unfair battle for us. It is so for our enemies. You have the advantage because of the Lord who has paved the way for victory.
Romans 8:34 (ESV) Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
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