Strategy Against the Invisible Enemy
Strategy in battle is key. Not only do we battle an invisible enemy, but we battle with invisible forces. We can also battle from a place of victory. In Exodus 17:8-13, the Amalekite army attacked the Israelites as they were journeying through the wilderness, camped at a place called Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, the General of the Israelite army, “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.”
The staff represented God’s authority over the Israelites. It was lifted by Moses to declare the Lord’s authority over the battle. To remind the people of their identity as God’s chosen people. To decree victory over the enemy.
Hands of Praise, Power, and Authority
Joshua and his army fought the Amalekites 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 stood on both sides of Moses and held his hands up so that his hands remained steady. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Seems silly doesn’t it. Even a bit superstitious to think holding a rod in the air would determine the outcome of a battle. What we often miss is the unseen battle in the heavenlies that decides the outcome on the battlefield. We fight with our limited strategy rather than in God’s strategy.
It wasn’t the fighting of Joshua and the Israelites that won the battle that day. It was the authority on the mountain that won. Moses lifted his hands in praise, in power, in authority, and – by lifting his hands, he lifted the banner of faith and victory.
The Lord is our Banner
As believers, we have authority over the invisible enemy that ravages our land, homes, finances, health, and families. When we raise our hands in praise and worship, we raise our hands in spiritual authority over the things God has given us as our responsibility. Never discount the fact that we are here, on earth, as part of God’s Kingdom, to bring His will from heaven to earth by walking in truth, righteousness, and justice. Not only are we to raise our own hands to overcome the battle, but we are to support the hands of our leaders by praying for them, honoring them, and submitting to their authority (1 Peter 2:13-14).
At the end of the battle, Moses built an altar calling it, “The Lord is my Banner.”
He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”
When we place our faith in the Lord and allow Him to go before us in battle, we will always be victorious. Friends, let us raise the banner of our Lord in praise, worship, and in the lifting of our hands. Let us do warfare the way God has called us – by marching behind Him in battle, carrying our banner that identifies us as His army, praying, praising, and believing that the battle is His and we march to His beat. May we us halt all grumbling and complaining and turn our voices toward heaven with shouts of victory. Let us love one another, for the days are short and our lives hang in the balance (Psalm 119:109, NLT).
