by Francine Rodriguez
It was a great battle in Rephidim where God revealed himself as “Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is My Banner”. It happened as Israel had crossed the Red Sea. “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.” (Ex. 17:8) Moses the man of God 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.”
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, while Moses, Aaron his brother and Hur his assistant went to the top of the hill to pray. As long as Moses lifted his hands to pray the Israelites were winning the battle; but when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
Moses began to grow weary so Aaron and Hur got a stone and sat Moses on it and Aaron and Hur held his hands up so that his hands remained steady until Joshua defeated the Amalekite army.
The Lord told Moses, “write it down as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it.” It was there that Moses built an altar to the Lord and called it, “The Lord is my banner, he said. For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”
This is the place where Moses called God Jehovah Nissi because he understood that God himself is our banner, the one who fights and wins our battles. When Moses wrote it down and built the altar it wasn’t for Joshua alone but for us today because we also need to be reminded that it is God alone that teaches our hands to war and it is He alone that causes us to walk in victory.
What a sight it must have been to see two men holding up the hands of another all day long! What care, determination and support Moses must have felt that day. And, what an example to the Israelites and the enemy to see an illustration of the supporting love of God offered by the family of God.
What can we learn from this example as we commit to holding someone else up in prayer until the battle is won in his or her life?
The number of troops Joshua had at his command we don’t know, but what we do know is that God gave him complete success and that the victory came through cooperation and prayer.
It is clear that the battle was the Lord’s. What an example of cooperation and persevering in prayer! This is a lesson we all need to take to heart.
Who do you need to hold up in prayer today? Your Pastor, a leader or another brother or sister? Remember the battle is won when we cooperate with God and one another and preserve in prayer. Some are in the midst of a great battle and they are looking for an Aaron or a Hur to hold them up and to support them.
Or maybe it is your hands that may be getting tired. Let me remind you, you are not alone God has someone praying for you. You will prevail and be victorious in this battle!
Read Exodus 17:8-16
What blessings these last couple of days have been. I get to enjoy my word and scripture to feed my hungry heart. Not only to grow in my walk but to live out in my day to day life. Thank you for your faithfulness.
So glad these blogs are blessing you! Keep on reading!