“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realm” - Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

We all like to imagine life as easy. But after liberation from Egypt as the children of Israel moved on to the Promised Land life was never like a walk in the park. Having seen all the miracles that had led them this far, like the parting of the Red Sea, there were constant upheavals. The Israelis would occasionally complain and long for their old life back. “But the people were thirsty for water, there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst” (Exodus 17:3).

Sometimes enemies came up to fight them back.

One such were the Amelikites. “The Amelikites came and attacked the Israelis at Rephidem. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amelikites. Tommorow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands” (Exodus 17:9). Then Moses went up high up on the mountain with Aaron and Hur. “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelis were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amelikites were winning” (Exodus 17:11).

Here is the significance of this passage. Being also in a journey having been delivered from the land of oppression and darkness we left behind once we knew Christ our lives are not spared of battles. We too face financial Amelikites. There are disease Amelikites. We face armies of discouraging Amelikites. We encounter personal relationships Amelikites.

Some of these Amelikites stand like immovable giants. To defeat them will not just be on our physical prowess alone, but like Moses we need to go high up on the mountain and fight the battle at a much higher spiritual level. When the battles are won in the spirit, as we clearly see here, all the Amelikites around us, will fall down and victory will come.

Today let no Amelikites stand in your way. Hold your hands high up in prayer and fight them. “A thousand will fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:7). And where you are tired find someone to pray with you just as Moses did. Victory is yours.

Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today as I face Amelekites, I pray in the powerful name of Jesus that you deliver me and bring victory.