By Christopher Dryden
8 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.” 10 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. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Exodus 17:8-13
The set-up is wonderful. There’s the captain on the pitch, there’s the head coach up in the stands. There are other coaches close to hand. When the head coach is focused on the game, those on the pitch play well, when he appears to be flagging, the confidence of the players dips as well. When that happens, the advisors are at hand to give the director the support he needs to keep going. As a result, the players on the pitch get the job done.
Life is not a solo sport. The struggle one faces is in the context of a web of relationships, where others are affected by how well that one is doing. In a collective – from a family, to an organisation as well as a sports team – the success of the whole is very much dependent on each part playing its role.
There is also the reality of spiritual warfare. There are forces opposed to the redeemed of God. As the Amalekites are the first to oppose those rescued by God, so we recognise that as we are rescued by the Saviour, so we face real, aggressive and determined opposition. Demonic opposition for sure, but also the flesh is a very real opponent. Even as we seek to live in the Spirit, God reminds us that the flesh wants to take hold again.
Can we succeed on our own in the battle? Can we just tough it out with steely self-determination? In His wisdom, God has provided people in key areas of the battlefield to provide assistance for us. As well as that, we are strategically located to give support for others as we all take on these issues together. It calls for us to recognise the nature of the struggle we’re in. It calls for us to recognise the people around us on hand to support and how they can do so. It calls for us to recognise what role we play in the battle. It calls for us to recognise who is beside us, who is above us and who supports us.
As we recognise that we are not alone, but we are a part of a team, so we also recognise again that the God who calls us to the battle is able to grant us the victory in it. That victory, though, is not for the lone ranger types. It takes a team.
Ask – How was the battle against the Amalekites won?
Seek – What role are you playing in the team to deal with Kingdom business and the resistance to it?
Knock – In prayer today, look for God to show you the role you play, as well as the role played by others close to you for His Name’s sake.
(Upper Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Mica Asato from Pexels)
