Moses, being the exemplary leader, sprang into action. He recognized that the weak and lagging were in danger: a leader, no matter how high up the ranks, must be aware of the weakest followers and should be nimble in their response to rescue, defend and strengthen them. Moses didn’t wait a week, or a few days to respond; his response was swift and suitable. His instructions showed that he knew what would be required to push back this ambush. He said, gather some fighting men, we are launching an attack, we are fighting back. I pray we live in a kingdom that fights back, that responds to attack without delay. The bible says the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, to the pulling down of strongholds (Ephesians 6:12), which is the realm in which our attacks originate. I trust that we can count on our leaders – leading men and women in the assembly who will recognize when there are others struggling, and call up the spiritual warriors to defend them, and repair the breaches. For example, we should be able to call a spontaneous fast without waiting to make our requests known at a ‘once-per-month church fast’. We must respond with urgency to attack on our brothers and sisters who have fallen in an ambush and are in danger of missing out on the promises given to them.

The Rod – the Banner

Moses gave these instructions to his fighters: you must fight, but I am going to stand at the top of the hill with the rod of Yahweh in my hand. Moses was a man who learned to employ the tools he had in hand, in his service and obedience to Yahweh. This was the rod which Moses was given at the beginning of His call to leadership, and it was used as a sign that Yahweh was with him; now his rod became the banner – the sign of victory and strength in this battle. In his leadership of Israel, Moses would often go directly to Yahweh for instructions in each test and the response would often include using “the rod in his hand”: this same rod that was stretched out over the red sea when the waters parted. The rod had been proven, in the earlier verses of this chapter, in the provision of water for the Israelites. Prior to Israel’s deliverance, the rod was turned into a snake and ate up the serpents of Pharaoh’s wise; proving that enemy will have weapons too, but our weapons are mightier, to the pulling down of strongholds. This is not the time to cower and shirk our responsibilities, it is the time to declare that we come in the authority of Yahweh therefore we have great power and strength.

While the warriors went into the battlefield, Moses took his place on the hill, the high point where the banner could be seen, and there raised the standard. He was joined by the priests Aaron and Hur. Imagine the scene that day: while some were in the heat of the battle – hand to hand combat, swords hitting against swords, wounds being inflicted and blood being loss; the others were on the mountain, in prayer, lifting up a standard against the enemy. We realize that we may not always be physically present with our brothers and sisters in their struggles and may not always be able to relate completely to the experience of battling an addiction or their particular weakness, but we can be on the mountain of prayer. There we are positioned to have clear vision of the battlefield as the fight rages on, and in turn it gives encouragement to the fighters who see that they have support, because the banner is raised. Moses took the position that he would raise the standard and be a source of strength and encouragement on the high ground.

The bible says, when his hands were raised, Israel prevailed! When we pray, when we lift up the standard, we are winners. As we stand together with raised hands the entire kingdom benefits. The enemy has no chance when Yahweh Nissi is raised, this is the rallying point, the banner that lets us know He is with us and although the battle rages and the fight becomes tiring and heated, we will win.

Support in the battle

When Moses’ hands were down, Israel was losing. The truth is, our battles are not always quick, or short-term, and sometimes we become tired – the people who struggle with their weakness become weary from fighting and so do the intercessors. Have you ever gotten tired of fighting the same weakness or having the same struggle? I do believe that Joshua and the other warriors were weary from a battle that lasted from morning until sunset. However they kept fighting and they were confident of the support of those who prayed on their behalf. Even so, sometimes the battle doesn’t end when we think it should, and the scripture says Moses hands grew weak.

They fought all day so it is quite reasonable to expect the arm of Moses to grow weary if they are continuously raised in defense of the nation. There are times when our hands may become weak, and when we get tired, we drop our arms and lower our standards and our banner. But this story teaches us that even the leaders and the intercessors need support. The two other men who were on the mountain with Moses offered support in two ways: they brought Moses a rock on which he could sit and then they both supported his arms.

The Rock and the supporting hands

I strongly believe in having prayer partners; not just the unknown person on the prayer line of a favorite tele-evangelist but rather a trustworthy person who uses the weapon of prayer effectively and fervently, one who is called on when we are in need of help and support. My prayer partners, usually give a word or encouragement from the scripture and offer prayer, but they go even further – they check on me and remain in prayer with me until the situation we are praying about changes or until they receive a good report. I would encourage everyone to have at least two prayer partners – there may be circumstances that we feel more comfortable discussing with one person, but not with another and since they support me even if my prayer is for someone else, confidentiality is a requirement. Use wisdom in choosing your prayer partners, in fact pray about it. These are not the people who can only comment on how tired we appear or how weak we are in comparison to their strength. Be sure you are not standing near the mockers and the ones who can only say, “I am so sorry that your fight is long, I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time”; and then go and mention to others how much you are struggling.

We should have people who will watch over us spiritually, know when we are in danger and battle with us until we have been victorious. These individuals must also have the Word within them, ready to strengthen and encourage us. They must lead us directly to the Rock, because the real support is from the Rock of our salvation – Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). If we are standing, or resting on the Rock, we will find that we have the strength to fight and the confidence that the One on whom we rest or depend is unfailing. Our energy will be renewed; we take the pressure off our legs – our own works and strength.

None of us can complete this journey by ourselves, therefore we do not need to give up when we are tired, but rather, get aligned with an ‘Aaron’ and a ‘Hur’, the people who will raise us up on the left and on the right, after all Yahshua has made us “priests unto Yahweh” (Rev.1:5-6). Get strength from those who will run with the Rock to bolster your support, those who will help you raise your hands. Be united with prayer warriors, and persevere until the end.

This is how the battle is won; it is how the enemy is routed!

For more devotionals, see Sufficient For Today by Sharon Haughton on Amazon.com, Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.

Photo credit: http://www.Pixabay.com

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