Exodus 17:8-9  Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”  

 

Yesterday, we looked at the Passage found in Exodus 17:1-7. We discussed the symbolism in this Passage, and we saw where the Lord told Moses to strike the Rock (the Cross of Christ) and he would find the Water (the Holy Spirit) that the people so desperately needed. Moses did this, and the River of Living Water flowed, and all the people were blessed.

 

In the very next Verse, we see where they came under attack as soon as the Water (the Holy Spirit) was poured out. The Presence of the Holy Spirit immediately caused war. Please stop and think about that for just a minute. The Presence of the Holy Spirit immediately caused them to come under attack; war broke out.

 

Now God’s people would have to fight! Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 

 

In the sixth Verse, the Lord told Moses to strike the Rock. The striking of the Rock (Christ) is a symbol of the beating Christ took on the Cross. The people just stood back and watched as Moses obeyed the Lord. They didn’t have to do anything. Their faith and belief are all God asked of them, and so it is today. All God asks of us is our faith to believe in His Son and the Cross where He gave His Life for the sins of the entire world. This represents how a person receives Salvation. Salvation is a free Gift of God for anyone who believes.

 

However, once they believed in the Rock and the Holy Spirit (Water) came on the scene, they would have to fight. Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the Rod of God in my hand.”  

 

The Christian life on earth consists of Salvation (which is Justification) and Sanctification. Salvation is free and requires nothing of the recipient except to believe. We can do nothing to earn Salvation and Justification. We are Saved and Justified by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

 

Sanctification, however, is a Work of the Holy Spirit within us, and it takes work on our part. We have to join forces with the Holy Spirit and work with Him. We have a part to play in our Sanctification, which is a life long Work as the Lord continually molds and shapes us. He can only do this when we are willing and allow Him to work with us. The Holy Spirit is inside us, but we have a part to play in our Sanctification.

 

One commentator said it like this: “There is a difference between Justification and Sanctification. One is Christ fighting FOR us; the other is the Holy Spirit fighting IN us."

 

Today is the day to put on the full Armor of God, team up with the Holy Spirit who dwells inside you, and fight the enemy. Rise up, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Rise up as the Holy Spirit rises up within you and fight! There is an Army rising up! It’s time to enlist.

 

Only God can……..turn the tide

 

In the Army,     Doreen

 

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