It's Time To Give Up

When you read Exodus 17:8-16, you will realize that the Israelites are fighting the Amalekites with real weapons. It looks like a physical battle, and to some extent, it is. But when you read verse 11, "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning." You get a totally different perspective on the same battle. Their victory does not depend on their weapons. Instead, it depends on their submission to the one who has the power to win every battle we face.

We must ask ourselves, 'how do we engage the enemy of our faith?' We know that the LORD must win the war, but what role should we play? When the Israelites counterattack, Moses takes up a position on the hillside overlooking the battlefield. His only weapon is his faith in the LORD's promises. With his hands raised, Moses is acknowledging his surrender to the LORD. We may not know what he is saying while standing on that hill. Nevertheless, his actions demonstrate that he is submitting to God alone to win the battle!