Morning by Morning, February 4 - Holding High "The Staff of God" -- the Cross of Christ
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name and Your glory be high and lifted up, here in my heart and every moment of my day. ...
"Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.' So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. 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 sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword" (Exodus 17:8-13).
Every story of the battles and the warriors, the strategies and the victories, even the failures and defeats of the Old Covenant speak to us of the spiritual principles of our spiritual battles under the New Covenant. "These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Today, our battles are spiritual battles, drawing wisdom from the actual battles our forefathers of the faith before us have fought. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
Joshua led the army of the Lord into battle against the enemies of the people of God. But he could only prevail in the battle "whenever Moses held up his hand." But Moses did not lift up an empty hand to prevail. In his hand he took hold of "the staff of God." It was not the hand of Moses but the staff of God that released the power of God to prevail. It was God's power that prevailed, but God chose to release His power through the staff in the hand of Moses.
As an example to us, instructing us in our spiritual battles of our day, how we need Your spiritual leaders, like Moses, to be positioned "on the top of the hill with the staff of God in (their) hand." How we need the intercessors and prayer watchmen, like Aaron and Hur, to lift up them up when their hearts and "hands grow weary" as the battle rages on. And how we need the courageous warriors, like Joshua, ready to run to the battle with the battle cry of "No surrender! No retreat!" stirring up like a flaming fire that will not be quenched in their hearts wholly devoted to You and the advancement of Your kingdom.
It's wasn't the power or wisdom or leadership or strategy or even the prayers of Moses or Joshua, of Aaron or Hur that won their battle. And it's won't be our own power, our own wisdom, our own leadership, our own strategy, or even our own prayers that will win the battle of our day. It will be You. And at the same time, it will be You moving through us in our obedience and faithfulness to Your word. Moses really did have to take his position on the hill, or the battle would not have been won.
Moses really did have to lift up his hands, taking hold and lifting high the staff of God, or the battle would not have been won. Aaron and Hur really did have lift up his weary arms, or the battle would not have been won. And Joshua really did have to keep pressing the battle, even when there were times that it seemed the enemy was prevailing, as his spiritual leader and the intercessors were wavering and weary and letting down their arms, until they found "the stone" to rest upon and undergird their post in the battle from "the top of the hill," or the battle would not have been won.
Teach us Your ways, Lord. Ground us in Your Word and empower us by Your Spirit. Our "staff of God" is the Cross of Christ -- high and lifted up over every battle we face! Give us Your wisdom and Your strategies that we may yet prevail -- all by Your power and all by Your grace. Victory will come and You will prevail, as we each take our post and make our stand, trusting in You alone as the only Source of Victory. As You said long ago, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts!" (Zechariah 4:6) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be take your post and stand your ground, lifting high the "staff of God" - the Cross of Christ, in your heart, in your hand, and across this land, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Friends, please keep us in prayer for the upcoming Messiah Ministries Events:
Teaching at our Helotes "Texas-sized Backyard Gathering" on Saturday, Feb. 6th. A day of worship, teaching, and encouragement in Helotes, Texas.
Speaking at the Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow Lighthouse monthly gathering, Saturday Feb. 13. Please contact Sheila Kolaja for details and to rsvp at: sheilakolaja1@gmail.com
Teaching Weekly Healing Prayer Ministry Course Online at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas. Our weekly online zoom series Healing Prayers: Free to Be Like Jesus on Thursdays. I'm teaching and equipping a prayer ministry team to serve at Coker United Methodist Church in San Antonio. God is getting His people ready for the great harvest to come! I pray for your equipping and serving as well in your calling and destiny with the gifts the Lord is giving and stirring up in you! God bless you!
Teaching The Life Transformation Course
live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas beginning Tuesday Night, February 23th at 6:30. (Has been moved back to Feb 23th for planning). Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!
Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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