Hello Friend,
Once again, I feel privileged to be able to share the word of God with you. I believe your trust in Jesus is paying off. Today, I want to encourage you to keep your hands up. Have a good read.
8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT)
Here we have an account of the people of God arriving at a place called Rephidim. This word in the Hebrew means ‘rests’ or ‘stays’ or ‘resting places’. Isn’t it amazing how the enemy can start a fight with you in the very place that you are supposed to relax – in your marriage, finances, children, career, academics, business? Rephidim! The scripture records that they had been travelling; so they were tired, thirsty and probably hungry although scripture does not record this, but when they got to a place of rest, the enemy decided to attack them. What do you do when an enemy attacks? Fight back!
So Moses their leader ordered Joshua to get some men ready for battle while he goes up to the hill with the rod of the Lord in his hand. You know the story, it happened that whenever the Moses’ hands were up, Israel won, but whenever he started to lower them, they lost. Finally Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a stone for him to sit on; they also stood by him, one on each side, to support his arms. Do you notice that though Moses had changed his position to sitting on a stone, he did not change his posture, his hands were still raised?
I believe the lifting of the hands signifies prayer as well as praise. He lifted the rod of the Lord, he involved God in the battle, just as you and I would talk to God about our situations. He lifted the rod of the Lord, but why?
The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Ps 24:8b (NIV)
The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Exodus 15:3 (NKJV)
May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. Ps 141:2 (NAS)
So Moses prayed to God and praised him in advance for their victory. Friend, God hears your prayers and he also dwells in every place where his praises are offered. I know sometimes you can be weary and begin to wonder whether God is really listening or why your prayer isn’t working. Don’t be discouraged, Moses got weary but for the Israelites to have the victory, his hands had to stay up.
When the war was over, verse 15 records that Moses built an altar, but where? I think same place; Rephidim, that same place where they were supposed to relax, there the Lord gave them victory and there they declared it. Friend, your victory is sure only when you keep your hands raised, so keep on praying and keep on praising. You soon will build an altar, you will have a testimony!
Thank you for reading.