Friday, October 14, 2011
Exodus 7:8-13 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
TAKE UP THE ROD OF GOD
We read, "When Moses held up his hand ... Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed" (11). This is a fascinating account which shows beyond a doubt that the victory was given by God not by their own might or skill. Israel was fighting to defend their families and their lives, so you can bet they were fighting with all their might all the time, yet they only prevailed when Moses' hands were raised to God. So their success in battle was completely from God.
In our spiritual battles sometime we are tempted to think that our own faith is strong enough to withstand and defeat the enemy or overcome the temptation. Such self-confidence leads to the type of miserable failure that Peter experienced in the courtyard of the High Priest.
Our victory is always and only certain in the Lord and the rod of His mouth. As Luther said in "A Mighty Fortress is our God," "One little word can fell Him" (The Lutheran Hymnal, 262:3). That is why God urges us to "Take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). God's word is our weapon against all enemies.
When you are tempted with some sin, let the Word of God be your rod of strength to beat down your old Adam by reminding you that "because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6). Let God's word also strengthen your new man by hearing of God's grace and mercy in Christ and being reminded "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:11-14). Take up the rod of God and win!
