Text: Exodus: 17:8-16
1. The LORD is my victory…Yet He allows opposition (v 8)
- Amalek are descendants of Esau
- Deuteronomy 25:17-18 gives more background on this battle; they attack Israel when they are weary, weak, and tired
- “lagging behind” those who are not living as they should live
- God is preparing a people for the land He has already prepared
2. The LORD is my victory…Yet He calls me to action (v 9-11)
- first mention in scripture of Joshua; this is Joshua’s first assignment. he did it willingly, without complaining. It was an extremely tough job, he could die. He has his mind set on things of God
- Before Joshua could lead, he needed to learn to follow.
- The staff of Moses and Joshua entering into battle are a picture of the divine human cooperative. These are mundane things until God shows up.
- Exodus 14 at the Red Sea is another place that shows the LORD battling on behalf of his people. God is fighting for them.
3. The LORD is my victory…Yet He shows my need for others (v 12-13)
- they held Moses arms up all day long, sun up to sun down
- Joshua won the battle of Amalek
- Moses had a willingness to be served and helped – he wasn’t self sufficient.
- Aaron and Hur had a desire to serve – the most important thing wasn’t who was holding the staff, just that the staff was held high.
- Joshua took ownership of the job he was given. He did what he said he was going to do.
4. The LORD is my victory…And He reminds me of His promises (v 14-16)
- “write it down” – a plug for journaling
- Speak God’s truth into the lives of others often.
- At the end of the battle they worshiped the Lord because the battle belonged to the Lord and was won by the Lord. The banner proclaimed victory to everyone who was looking, the victory of the Lord.
- The Lord is my victory alone.
- The hand is nothing by itself, but the hand on God’s instrument is full of great power.
Conclusion: Â Don’t live defeated, the victory has already been won. Death has been conquered by Jesus Christ. Raise Him up with my life. He is the banner, He is the victory.
From a message preached by Pastor Mo Zachariah of Harvest Bible in Niles, IL at Harvest Bible Chapel. Watch or listen to the complete message here.