At Rephidim

Exodus 17:8-9

At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us, and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.”

God had just provided water from the rock to ease the thirst of the children of Israel in their journey through the wilderness. As soon as they were refreshed, they had a battle to face. God will quench your thirst before you head into war so you will be able to fight. By the same token, the enemy will attack after a longing has just been satisfied by appealing to another longing. Having just tasted the satisfaction, you will be prone to grab for satisfaction again.

Rephidim means baluster or railing. Think of it as a means of support from one level to the next, much like a stair railing. You use it for support. The enemy will attack your support systems, causing you to stumble and fall and preventing you from moving from one level to the next.

Amalek was the enemy who attacked at Rephidim. Amalek was a descendant of Esau, who allowed his cravings to get the best of him. Esau chose his cravings over his birthright, and he lost his inheritance. Your enemy wants your inheritance, and he will attack whatever personal support systems you have in place with your own cravings. He will use your desires – including God-given desires – against you to try to prevent you from moving from one spiritual level to the next and gain further ground.

Moses instructed Joshua to select men to fight, and he would intercede. You cannot muster enough self-discipline or strength on your own to stand up to your personal cravings or desires when you are moving from one level to the next. You need a support system that will not fall apart to carry you forward. You need able men to fight with you, which is accountability, and you need intercessors to pray for you. You cannot move past Rephidim by yourself. 

Something at the next level is so valuable that the enemy is using your own desires against you. Don’t give up, and don’t give in. Call on those you need to help you, have strong prayer warriors praying for you, and God will give you the victory. Wherever there is a Rephidim, there is also another blessing close at hand. Don’t allow your cravings to get the best of you, and don’t look to them for support. Be willing to fight and intercede to overcome the urge to settle for less than the very best God has for you. The next level is only a Rephidim – a baluster – away.

Have a blessed day!