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.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
In Exodus 17 we find a familiar Old Testament story, and I love the picture presented here that illustrates the absolute necessity of godly relationships when fighting to move forward in our God-destiny. Victory was a team effort, and each had a part to play. I think there are a few powerful lessons we can learn.
1. Always remember we are in a spiritual battle.
Anytime we attempt to move forward into the "promised land" of our high calling in God there is an enemy coming against us to attack. Moses, Joshua, and the rest of God's people had very real battles to fight, and we too can be sure that the spiritual battle against our lives, families, minds, and calling is every bit as real. How do we fight this battle? It's fought in our minds--our thoughts and attitudes. This is why the Bible tells us to use God's Word as our weapon (Ephesians 6:10-17) and to be diligent in watching over our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
2. Strength for the battle comes from godly relationships.
Joshua and the army needed Moses' raised arms. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to support his tired, outstretched hands. Likewise, all of us need those in our lives who are stretching their hands in our direction, believing with us for victory, as well as, those who support our tired hands in the midst of the battle.
I also love what happens next.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
God had something to say and He wanted Moses to be sure that Joshua heard it. Why not just tell Joshua Himself? God certainly could have and did speak directly with Joshua at other times in his life, but He chose to use a relationship on this occasion. God uses people, and He wants to use you to speak to some Joshuas in your life.
What spiritual battle are you facing right now? Think about. Name it.
Who is holding up your arms in the battle? Do you have some trusted people around you who you can count on to fight for God's best in your life?
Whose arms do you need to support? Who are the Joshuas in your life that you need to speak to? It could be your spouse, your kids, a co-worker, or a friend.
Don't try to fight a spiritual battle alone when you have an army behind you!
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