What are we fighting for?

Exodus 17

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.

14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. 16 He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.


In this passage, we see a few characters. Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua and the Israelites and an object of focus, the staff of God. In this battle, there is only one goal. To obey God and defeat the Amalekites. Each of the mentioned character is given a role to play. Moses to keep the staff raised, Aaron and Hur to help Moses keep his hands raised and Joshua to lead the Israelites to fight. Different roles but one goal. None of them expressed the desire to do another person's role. Can you imagine if young Joshua wants to sit high up and raised the staff? Or old Moses wanting to show off by leading the army to fight?

When I heard this passage being preached and I thought of ASC Music Ministry and our involvement in church and XSY. I hope each of us keep in mind the reason why we are in MM for. I hope it is not to show off our skills, even more so that it is not because MM needs you. I hope it is not just for fun and to be associated with a group of 'talented' people. (If your image of fun is coming to practice tired after a long day, then I got nothing to say) But most important, that we see that it is an opportunity to serve His people and to be part of His salvation work to the mission field, i.e AHS students.

God doesn't need Moses to keep his hands raised to beat the Amalekites. He doesn't need Aaron and Hur to assist Moses. He surely doesn't need Joshua to defeat the enemies. They were given an opportunity to be part of His work and to express their obedience and their trust in their God.

God doesn't need MM to grow His church and to bring His people to Him. We've been given a privilege to come back on weekday nights to practice a few hours to serve His people. It's a time we can continually express our dependency and exercise our faith and trust. Serving in MM or anywhere else will be extremely difficult when we loose sight of the staff of God. Why are we spending so much time for? Why do I need to get up so early for? Why do I still need to play when I am tired or when I have exams or work to do?

I hope all of us, including myself, will ask ourselves these questions. Since we are already on the same boat, I think we should work towards the common goal. No doubt it is an ongoing spiritual battle. Do we know who's side are we on?

What are we fighting for?
Zhihao