(1) The Story of Moses
God Seeks Someone to Carry Out His War
The man God called to defeat the power of Pharaoh and rescue His people was not 40-year-old Moses, full of strength and trained in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22). At that time, Moses thought God would use him to save Israel (Acts 7:25).
But God turned that self-reliant Moses into a fugitive. In the wilderness of Midian, Moses went through a 40-year “process of death,” where he had to die to himself and the world. God humbled him to become someone “utterly incompetent,” who could barely speak . In this way, God did not call the capable 40-year-old Moses, but the helpless 80-year-old Moses for His battle.
》Scripture Prayer
(Exodus 3:1–12,NIV) 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Let us repent of the moments when we tried to fight God’s war in our own strength, instead of humbly acknowledging our complete helplessness before the cross. The basis of our calling to the battlefield of spiritual warfare with Satan is not ourselves. Let us pray to realize that in order to carry out “God’s war,” where He Himself fights, we must trust only in the Lord.
2. Even if the church on this earth appears to lack qualification or hope, let us pray that it hears God’s invitation to His war and responds in faith alone. Let us pray that we take off our “shoes,” or the last remnant of our own strength, become true servants of God, and fully obey His word as we go into spiritual battle.
2) Understand the Nature of God’s Warfare
When Moses Raised His Hands, Israel Prevailed; When He Lowered Them, They Lost
The battle of Rephidim, where Israel was attacked by Amalek, shows clearly how God’s warfare works. It is not won by might, strategy, or weapons. Victory depends on hands lifted toward God; in other words, on prayer. The new life given through the gospel of the cross is sustained only through prayer. Our souls must resist lies and injustice until every part of life surrenders to the truth. But without prayer, we cannot live out the gospel. Prayer is a life response—to survive, and to win. Raise your hands and you will win; lower them and you will lose. Those who believe this will fight a victorious battle.
》Scripture Prayer
(Exodus 17:8–13,NIV) 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God’s war does not rely on human wisdom or strength. Anyone who enters the war with their own abilities only sees it on a human level. Let us ask God to open our eyes to the unseen spiritual world beyond what we can see, and pray to stand fully committed in the place of prayer, which is the battlefield of the spirit.
2. Let us declare that the Lord, who fights without ceasing until Amalek is destroyed, has already won through the cross. Let us pray that the church will not stop praying until God’s kingdom fully comes to earth. Acknowledge humbly that we cannot do this alone, and pray that the church will unite in one Spirit, one calling, and one heart for the revival of God’s kingdom.
3) The Purpose of God’s War
To Make Us A Holy Priestly Nation and Restore All Nations
God did not save Israel from Egypt just to rescue them alone, but to begin restoring all nations through it. As 1 Peter 2:9 says, the purpose of God’s war is to call His people out of darkness and into His marvelous light, so they may declare His glory to the world.
The grace of the cross that saved a sinner like me must never stay with me alone. Whoever is filled with the gospel of the cross will inevitably live to share it. Let us not forget—this is for the salvation of all nations.
》Scripture Prayer
(Exodus 19:3–6,NIV) 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God’s salvation does not stop at merely “bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.” It continues until they become a “holy people” worthy of His name. Let us pray that all Christians come to know more deeply the salvation of God, the glory of the gospel of the cross. Let us also pray that God would give Christians an uncontainable passion to proclaim the beautiful virtues of the Lord.
2. Through a church that wholeheartedly obeys the Lord, all nations will be saved and restored as God’s children, becoming one body with Christ. Let us proclaim this in faith and pray that all will join together in praising the glory of the God who has saved us.
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