This has been a difficult week as Israel has entered into war with Iran, a nation that is bent on Israel’s destruction, whose chanted motto is, “Death to Israel! Death to America!” Despite the missiles and explosions that are happening on both sides, the ultimate outcome of this war is being made in the heavenly realms, in the spiritual battles that are taking place between the prince of Persia and the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways, this conflict reminds me of another war that was fought thousands of years ago. And now, as then, the battle strategy for victory remains the same.
“Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim…And Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill…when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him…And Aaron and Hur supported his hands…and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people…” Exodus 17:8-13
The Amalekites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. They and the children of Israel were first cousins. So why would they attack their relatives? There was more than just a familial hatred going on here. There was a spiritual force behind Amalek that was bent on Israel’s destruction. This was not one battle between Amalek and Israel, for God declared that He would be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.
There were two battles taking place that day—the physical battle that Joshua and the Israelites were enduring and the spiritual battle that Moses and Aaron and Hur were undertaking on Israel’s behalf. We all are fighting against a common enemy who is bent on tearing us away from God. There are those of us who are called as intercessors, who pray and wage spiritual warfare against the unseen forces of the devil. You can’t fight this battle alone! You must be sitting on Christ, the Solid Rock, and banding in unity with other intercessors who will support your hands in prayer and encouragement.
Then, there are those who must be in the physical battle, sweating and swinging and standing your ground for the LORD and righteousness…being determined to let go of pride and selfishness to take a stand in the face of the world for what you know is good and right and faithful and true…uncompromising on the faith that you have growing in you, and daring to declare the truth of the Gospel and debunk the lies that the devil tries to deceive even the elect with. The war will not be won without the hard efforts of BOTH the intercessors and the soldiers working together in God’s strength.
Stand up for God! Pray like never before! Support one another in their efforts! Hold on to each other in encouragement. Don’t get distracted or weary by the enemy’s continual advances. The battle is the Lord’s; He WILL prevail, but He needs us to do our part too.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
The Lord needs strong, valiant intercessors to stand up for His people in their struggle for their very existence. He needs spiritual warriors who will travail for His children on both sides. There are many believers in Iran who also need spiritual support to stand for the right in the face of the evil of their own government. May we all band together in unity of the Spirit against our one common enemy—the adversary of our souls. Keep up the good work. Fight the good fight of faith today. And may God’s strength and blessings be on you today.