Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it.”
Exodus 17:14a

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READ: Exodus 17:8–16

After hundreds of years in captivity, the Israelites were following Moses through the desert when an enemy army attacked them. It was the first military battle the Israelites faced as a nation. Moses commanded Joshua to gather the troops, and as one of Moses’ top commanders, he obeyed. The fighting men brandished swords and other weapons, and soon Joshua was on the battlefield leading the fight against the Amalekites.

Until this point, God and God alone had fought the Israelites’ battles. When trapped between the oncoming army of Pharaoh and the Red Sea, Moses told Israel to stand firm and be still (Exodus 14:13–14). Then God parted the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh’s army without one Israelite lifting a finger. How would a nation that had never fought before win its battles? By the power of God: so long as Moses kept his arms raised toward heaven, the Israelites were winning; but when he lowered his arms, the Amalekites were winning. With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses kept his arms lifted up until the battle was won.

God instructed Moses to write down this victory against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:14) so that it would be remembered—and specifically, God wanted Joshua to hear about it. This might seem odd since Joshua led that battle. He wasn’t likely to forget such a memorable event. But for the next 40 years, Israel would be wandering in the wilderness before finally reaching the Promised Land. And only two leaders from the Exodus generation—Joshua and Caleb— would enter. Perhaps this was less about Joshua remembering the actual battle than about him remembering that every victory they’d win would come from God and God alone.

No matter how terrifying an enemy seems, God’s plans cannot be thwarted, and He fights for us, just as He fought for Israel. Is there a battle you’re facing in which you need reassurance that God is fighting for you?

A STORY OF THEN & NOW

God Fought for Me | Joy S. | Willow South Barrington

When I moved back to the Chicago area as a single mom of three, life felt heavy. I needed to support my kids. I needed a job. I had teaching experience, so I applied to a large school district as a substitute. While filling out the paperwork, I struck up an unexpected, warm conversation with the secretary, Laura. Before I left, she looked at me and said, “You should apply for a full-time position.” It was November—not exactly hiring season—but something in her encouragement felt like hope. I applied.

On the way home, I stopped to buy groceries. When I got home, there was a message on my answering machine—from a principal, asking me to come in for an interview. I got the job.

Not long after that, I was serving as a greeter at the Wednesday-night service at Willow South Barrington—my new church. As I stood at the doors welcoming people, Laura, the very secretary who’d encouraged me to apply for a full-time role, walked in. I nearly gasped. “I got the job,” I told her. She smiled. She was the one who’d passed my application along.

Friends asked if I had been praying for this. I told them I had prayed—but I was praying for a full-time job by next September. I never thought to ask God for something this soon. I was close to God, but I didn’t pray big prayers because I wasn’t sure He’d answer them. But He saw me. He fought for me. And I stayed at that school for 20 years.

DID YOU KNOW?

In today’s Scripture passage, Moses named the altar he built “The Lord is My Banner” (Exodus 17:15). Most of us think of a banner as something that a marching band carries in a parade or a football fan waves at a game—but Moses was referring to the wooden banner ancient armies carried into battle, mounted on a pole for all to see. By naming the altar “The Lord is My Banner,” Moses declared God’s power and protection over the Israelites. God went before them into battle—and would fight for them.

A PRAYER

God, sometimes I struggle to believe that You are fighting my battles for me. Help me trust that even as my battle wages—and even when I cannot see Your hand in my situation— You are fighting for my ultimate good. Amen.

FOR REFLECTION

Moses raised his hands toward God while Joshua led the actual battle. When Moses got tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside and helped him keep his hands raised. Which person in this story do you most identify with: Joshua, Moses, or Aaron/Hur? Why?

When you grow weary like Moses did, how do you regain your physical, emotional, or spiritual energy? Who are the Aaron/Hur people in your life who help you remain strong?