The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. – Nahum 1:7
When Israel fought the Amalekites at Rephidim, it wasn’t with an experienced army or the best commanders. It was with a transient tribe of herdsmen under the command of a freshly appointed general named Joshua. Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on a nearby peak overlooking the battle. When the first battle cry sounded and the foes engaged, Moses raised the Lord’s staff high in the air over the battle. When he did, Israel began to take the upper hand.
But as the battle continued, Moses became tired and dropped his arms to his side. Immediately, the Amalekites rallied. Aaron and Hur dragged a small boulder close for Moses to sit on. Each took an arm and raised them again over the battle. As they did this, the Israelite fighters rallied to Joshua, found new strength, and won the battle that day. There Yahweh first showed them as a nation that He fought for them, that He led them into battle, that He protected and conquered on their behalf, and that He was their banner. When Moses built the altar and called it, “The Lord is my banner,” he was creating a place of remembrance, a celebration of victory, and an expression of thanks.
Spiritual battles can make you weary. You may lose interest in reading your Bible. You may struggle with prayer. Trusting God seems like work. That’s why you look to Jehovah Nissi, “The Lord is my banner.” When you fix your eyes on Jesus, He will be your staff. He will give you strength and direction to overcome any challenges. You can always trust Him. And pray that America’s leaders do the same.
Today’s Verse: Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Exodus 17:8-15
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
