Victory in Unity

Verse of the day: Exodus 17:12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

What a fantastic picture we have here of what can be accomplished if we would treasure and protect our unity in Christ. The fact of the matter is that if we are a born again believer, we are not in this battle all by ourselves, and God did not intend it to be that way. The enemy, on the other hand, loves to isolate us and cause division amongst us so that he and his demons can have their way with us, and sift us as wheat (Luke 22:3). Amalek is a picture of the devil. In Deuteronomy 25:17-18 we read, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, 18 how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.” In 1 Peter 5:8-9 reads, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Both Amalek and Satan are described as lions. The lion hunts those that stray from the pack or those that are weak, sickly, and fall behind. This is the reason we must do all that we can to feed on the Word of God so that we maintain our spiritual health, and avoid falling in a sickly state that makes us an easy target for Satan. Here, in this chapter, we see that Joshua and the Israelites had victory over the Amalekites because they were in unity against them. God gave them the victory, but only when Moses, Aaron, and Hur worked together with Joshua to bring about the victory. What a wonderful example for us of how we are to support one another, and encourage one another, especially during times of both corporate, or personal, conflict. Sadly, there are far too many Christians that are lonely, and quietly losing the spiritual battle we are all engaged in. We have allowed silly quarrels, jealousies, foolish differences, an unwillingness to forgive, clicks in the local church, false teachings, and overall selfishness, cause division in our midst (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). Over, and over again, we are encouraged and commanded to have unity amongst us as God’s children. Hebrew 10:24-25 encourages us, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Philippians 2:1-4 reminds us, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Galatians 6:2 tells us to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” When was the last time we came alongside another brother or sister in Christ and encouraged him/her in his/her struggles? Are we so busy minding our own struggles that we have forgotten to look toward, and help, those who are also struggling? God will give us opportunity, in the midst of our own circumstances, to help someone else who is facing difficult times. If we bring our cares to the Lord, who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), we would then be able to come alongside someone else who needs help carrying their burden. God, in the case of the Israelites, only gave them victory when Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses and supported him as he held up the rod of God. God was sending them a clear message that only in unity would they have victory over their enemies. Now, lest we overlook one very important detail, more than unity with one another, we must be, primarily, united in Christ. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” It is good for us to stand together, but it is even better when God is the One in the midst of our unity, holding us all together, and bringing us the victory that we can only achieve in Christ.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).