Devotion in war time – 16 October 2023

“Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then 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 one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exod 17:8-13). I had the same exact kind of conversation with two different Israeli men who were feeling guilty for not being on the frontlines with the other soldiers. I have also spoken with several Christians who feel guilty for not being able to catch the next flight to Israel to help. But this passage has a lot to tell us about the different roles of God’s people in the heat of battle. Some of God’s people were called to take up physical arms to fight in the physical battle. Others were called up to the mountaintop to fight the spiritual battle with prayer and supplication. Every single person had a vital role to play, none more important than the other. So don’t occupy your thoughts with false guilt over help that is not in your power to give when there are a thousand and one ways God has uniquely equipped you to support and to give! “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil…. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph 6:10-11, 18).