Is the Lord Among Us

 Exodus 17

I remember one time I was in the ocean with my friends and we were just having fun in the waves. We noticed the waves getting a little bigger than they were when we first got in and we were finding ourselves being separated. I became to find myself somewhat alone in this big ocean of water. I was not paying attention and a big wave knocked me down. It took me a little while to realize what happened and another wave came and knocked me down. I found myself being alone and somewhat out of control in this little situation. We can be like this in our Christian walks. A little wave can knock us down and we think that we are out of control. The only thing that can save us is a little help. We come to a point in Israel’s wilderness journey where they begin to question if the Lord was among them. The journey that they had seemed to fall short because there was no water for the flocks and for the people.

What seems impossible is possible for God.

Moses turned to God and said, “These people are going to kill me because there is no water.” In verse 2 we see that they quarreled with Moses which means that they were testing the Lord.  God again was patient with Israel as he not only listened to their quarreling but took care of them. He told Moses to take his staff and strike the rock and water will pour forth. The Israelites received their water and God took care of them. They thought they were gonners and God promised them that he would take care of them. He promised them that they had a land waiting for them. God sticks to his promises even when we do not.

Bye Bye Amalek

The Amalekites were descendants of Esau. They were known as a vicious Sinai Peninsula tribe of people. We do not know exactly why they decided to fight Israel but we can assume they wanted to overtake them and they probably looked at Israel as an easy kill. God not only gave Israel water but gave victory over the Amalekites. We are introduced to Joshua to be over the armies and organize men to fight them. The battle was not won by the Israel’s great military training or weaponry because they really did not have either, what won the battle was Moses interceding for the people. He was praying for them with his hands lifted towards heaven. God listened and provided a victory for Israel.

The Lord is my Banner

In verse 15 we see that Moses built an altar in appreciation of God’s victory over the Amalekites. In Hebrew it is “Yahweh Nissi.” A banner during this time was a piece of cloth that had the armies insignia and it was raised on a pole. It was used not only as identification but also in giving courage and hope. As long as the banner is still flying they know the battle is not lost. God is the source of courage and hope. He is their banner and our banner is the cross. Jesus died so there is victory of sin and death. What is the emblem of your life? What do you see as your courage and hope? People look to so many signs but they overlook the only sign for salvation and hope which is Christ and the cross. I hope you know that there is victory in your banner as Christ.