Blessings Friends,
I was having my morning face time with the Lord on Pentecost Sunday, just enjoying His presence, when I decided to press in.
“Lord, please show me what Heaven is saying today. How can I glorify You today?”
Suddenly I saw a host of angels warring in the heavens overhead. I had no time to take that in before I was shown Moses on top of a hill with his hands raised, and I was reminded of Exodus 17:8-16:
“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.’
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, ‘Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’”
Then the Lord asked, “What do raised hands represent?”
“Worship,” was my instant reply. “Surrendered worship.”
“Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:4
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.” Psalm 134:2
“Yes,” He answered. “Worship empowers my army. Continuous worship will defeat the enemy.”
Then He reminded me of the stone Moses sat on when his hands grew tired.
“Who is the stone?” He asked.
That was easy. “Jesus.”
Light bulb! True effective worship must be seated on Jesus Christ! It must rest on and emanate from the work of the Savior.
“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:10
He then reminded me of Aaron and Hur, standing on either side of Moses, holding up his hands, when he no longer had the strength.
The name Aaron means “Light Bringer.” Who else brings the light of truth and understanding but the Holy Spirit?
And the name Hur means “Hole.” As in a grave. As in humility.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
I was amazed. I had read that story hundreds of times, and here it was right in front of me. The winning strategy for the battle over the church in my region, and I believe many other regions. What an amazing God we serve!
The Lord has been showing me for some time that our most powerful weapon in spiritual warfare, the very key of the house of David, is worship. But not the soulish, feel good worship we are used to.
True worship, offered up in humility from the foundation of the authority paid for with the blood of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit Himself.
“’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
I did a little more digging to see what other undiscovered treasures lay in this story, and was even more amazed.
For instance, what are we warring against? It was the Amalekites who came against Israel, and the root, Amalek, means “dweller in a valley.” You may have heard the song that says, “I’ve got friends in low places,” but trust me, the spirit of Amalek is not our friend! This is a spirit bent on destroying God’s people and any move of the Spirit by keeping us focused on each other’s faults and shortcomings.
The meaning of the word, Amalekite, is “people of lapping,” as in lapping up our peace, joy, and hope. This is not the spirit of humility, but the spirit of humiliation. The spirit that makes us believe it’s our duty to “keep others humble.” It’s the opposite of grace and humility and it prevents unity in the body of Christ.
And here’s the kicker: Where does this attack take place? In Rephidim, our “resting places.” The very place we access God’s presence and glory to enter into the true worship that what? That empowers the Heavenly Hosts to war on our behalf! Are you with me, here?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…and again, we are at war! Warriors don’t have the luxury of taking offense and nursing wounded pride. Warriors do whatever it takes to win the battle! In our case, that means worshiping the Most High God continually. Not because we “feel like it” but because as Priests of the order of Melchizedek, that is our job—because He is worthy!
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
God’s armies have been dispatched, and we are the supply line that empowers them. So let us rest on the redemptive work of our Lord, Jesus Christ, die to ourselves, our will, and desires, and let the Holy Spirit take us to new heights of worship, filling the earth with the glory of God! Amen!
God’s grace and peace be yours,
Rebecca
