June 9th

Overcoming Overwhelming Obstacles

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...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. Exodus 17:11-12

The people of Israel were stuck. They had just marched from Egypt into the Wilderness. They were thirsty. They were tired. They had just contended with God and complained against Moses, even wanting to stone him. Finally, God rescued them by causing a river to pour out from a previously dry wall of rock.

Just when they thought things were turning around for them, the Amalekites came and surrounded them. The whole company of Israel-men, women, and children-was in deep trouble.

That's when Moses took action. He said, Joshua, you go fight. I'm taking God's staff up the hill and I'll watch.

Despite how it might sound, Moses knew what he was doing-he was putting his faith in God. He went up the hill and Aaron and Hur went with him. As long as Moses kept his hands raised, Israel won, but as soon as they fell, the battle turned against them. Because Moses couldn't keep his hands up forever, Aaron and Hur helped him, completing the picture for us of how we, too, can find victory in all the battles that the enemy brings our way.

Let me spell it out more clearly. Moses, here, points us to praise. The people want to stone him, so he runs to God. An army shows up to kill the people, so he runs to God. And there, in a position of praise, God brings deliverance.

Aaron, the high priest, represents prayer. This attitude of prayer keeps us close to the Lord, recognizing both our need of Him and His desire to deliver us.

Hur, we don't know who he is really, but his name in Hebrew means White. This means purity. If you want to see overwhelming victory over the obstacles in your life, then fight for greater praise, fervent prayer, and purity in your thoughts, actions, and life.

There's one other guy in this picture-Joshua, wielding a sword, which for us is a picture of the power of God.

Put these four things together-praise, prayer, purity, and trust in the power of Godand be victorious over the obstacles in your life.

Prayer Lord God,

Thank You that You help me overcome every battle that I face! As anything comes up to oppose me as I live for You, show me how to praise, pray, remain pure, and trust in You to be powerful on my behalf.

Amen