MY OWN WORST ENEMY: ME (Moses 2)
God’s miraculous provision did not end when the Jews left Egypt. He provided manna, kept them from getting sick, prevented clothing and shoes from wearing out and provided water when needed (Exodus 15-17). He led them by the cloud of fire, by His very Shekinah Presence. God protected and provided, but the Jews had to learn to fight their battles in His strength.
In their travel from Egypt to Mount Sinai the Jews had to travel near the land of the Amalekites. The Amalekites followed them, picking off the weak and sickly who weren’t part of the main body of Israel (Deuteronomy 25:17-18).
LESSON FOR TODAY 1: Satan as a roaring lion looks for weak and sick sheep, those who aren’t with the main body, and easily picks them off (1 Peter 5:8). We can’t fight alone; we must be close to the main army. Be part of a sound Bible-believing church. Be involved in its ministry. Surround yourself with good Christian friends. When you notice one of them drifting do all you can to bring them back to the fellowship. When you are being attacked let others know what they can do to help you. Stragglers and the weak are easy targets for the enemy.
LESSON FOR TODAY 2: Amalek is a picture of the flesh. The flesh is always here to battle us. Demons don’t always attack directly, they use our flesh (sin nature, natural tendency ot self-centerdness and sin) as well. In fact, many times they don’t have to do anything, they just let our sin nature defeat us. We, like the Jews, must learn to have victory over the flesh by prayer and fighting. Sins of the flesh include such things as lust, greed, laziness, self-indulgence, etc. – anything outside of God’s will for us to be more like Jesus.
God allowed Amalek to continually attack so the Jews would stop and fight. They had to learn to fight. They were armed by God after the Egyptian army drowned (Exodus 14:30) but had to learn to use their weapons.
LESSON FOR TODAY 3: God provides armor for us (Ephesians 6:10-20) but we must learn to use it as well. (See Ephesians 6 about the Armor of God for much more information about the weapons and equipment God provides for us.)
The Jews experienced victory when Moses prayed and the army fought behind Joshua (Exodus 17:8-15). Both were necessary for victory. Victory over Amalek was only temporary, for there were many future encounters to come.
LESSON FOR TODAY 4: For us to have victory means we must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for it is part of the weaponry God gives us (Ephesians 6:18). We must also fight using the armor He has provided (Ephesians 6:10-17). Prayer without doing our best in life’s battles isn’t enough; neither is doing our best but neglecting to pray. It takes both faith and works for victory. Our warfare with the flesh will never end. Like the Jews with the Amalekites, battles will continue as long as we are on this earth.
Which of the 4 lessons listed above do you need to help you in life right now? What can you do, starting right now, to apply it to your life?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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