We recently attended a three day Christian conference. The final day was on a Sunday and ended with a Sunday morning worship service. During one of the songs that we were singing, a very large, very fit and strong looking man sitting on the front row stood up. He raised both hands high in praise to the Lord. Several other people also had their hands raised. But, this man was so much bigger and taller than the others that he stood out in the crowd. He looked like a big capital “Y”. It was a long song and we sang all the verses. The song probably lasted at least five minutes. And I noticed that near the end of the song even the strong man began to get tired. His elbows were bent and his hands were only raised half way.

This reminded me of the story of Moses and how God required him to keep his hands and staff raised in order for Israel to win the battle against Amalek. The battle would be in Israel’s favor as long as Moses raised his arms and staff. When he grew tired and lowered his arms, Israel would start to lose the battle and Amalek would start winning. Aaron and Hur had to help Moses to keep his arms raised so that Israel could win.

I don’t know why God requires us to do things in a certain way. Maybe it’s because we are willful by nature and God wants to see if we will listen, obey and do things His way even if it is difficult at times. So, let’s try in the New Year and always to do things God’s way and just see how many more battles we can win!!

Exodus 17:8-16 (KJV) Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah–nissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.