#166 Banner Exodus 17

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.”

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against[c] the throne of the Lord,[d] the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:8-16 NIV

Israel must have seemed an easy target to Amalek, like refugees or border people. Joshua assembles an army to meet the threat, and Moses moves to a place high above the battle. He will hold up his staff to heaven, in view of the army. I often hear of the troubles of people, and I look through my arsenal, and find it insufficient to help. If only I could explain the truths of God better, then they would see. If only I had more money, then I could relieve the pressure of their financial situation. If only. When it is in my power to help, I should, but it is always within my grasp to pray, and yet that is where I have been the least diligent. I use to think God should fix all these problems, disease, poverty and every other physical defect, then I could believe in Him. It is a short sighted approach, and tied to my flesh, and as I now approach Him to pray, I ask His will be done and that He be glorified in this. You see, there is One who prays on my behalf and makes intercession for me. His perspective of these matters is eternal, and while I may look at my situation as a battle for which I am not fit or prepared, He has already been there, and He will not leave me. It is with up stretched hands that we start to see things differently, and trust the One who is Sovereign in all. The Amalekites made an enemy of the living God, and when Moses' hands were down, for a time they thought they might just win the battle, but the battle belongs to God. 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 23rd Psalm

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“ ‘Father,a

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.b

3Give us each day our daily bread.

4Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.c

And lead us not into temptation.d ’ ”

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacitye he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks forf a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”