This morning I read the fascinating story of The Battle of Rephidim. Being a very imaginative person, I pictured myself at the scene of that battle and what I learnt are very important lessons to live by.

The ancient battlefield of Rephidim witnessed one of the most intense demonstrations of faith, teamwork and divine intervention in biblical history. When the Amalekites attacked the weary Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8-13), what unfolded was not merely a military conflict but a spiritual masterclass that speaks powerfully to our modern struggles.

Moses understood something revolutionary for his time, that true victory comes not from military might but from divine strength. Whilst Joshua led the physical battle below, Moses ascended the hill with the staff of God, raising his hands in prayer and surrender. This wasn't mere symbolism; it was active faith. When Moses' hands were raised, Israel prevailed; when they dropped, Amalek gained ground.

In our contemporary world, we often exhaust ourselves trying to fight battles in our own strength. Whether it is a business person struggling to stay afloat, the parent struggling with a wayward child, or the student overwhelmed by examinations or even struggling with personal doubts, like Moses, we must learn that some battles are won not in the valley of human effort but on the mountain of prayer. As the Psalmist declares, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).

Perhaps the most touching aspect of this narrative is the beautiful picture of community support. When Moses' arms grew tired and they did grow tired, Aaron and Hur didn't criticise or replace him. Instead, they found a stone for him to sit on and literally held up his arms until sunset. This was not delegation, it was participation.

Our societies often celebrate the lone hero, the self-made success story. Yet, Rephidim reminds us that even the greatest leaders need support. In Japanese culture, there's a proverb: "A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle." Whether in our churches, workplaces, or families, we need our own Aarons and Hurs, people who will stand beside us when our strength fails.

Think of the successful business that thrives not because of one brilliant CEO but because of a dedicated team. Consider the recovering addict who maintains sobriety through the support of their accountability group. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 wisely states, "Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow."

The battle didn't last an hour or even half a day. It continued "until the going down of the sun." This detail isn't incidental. It speaks to the exhausting nature of spiritual warfare and life's battles. Moses couldn't simply pray for five minutes and expect victory. He had to maintain his position hour after gruelling hour.

In our instant-gratification society, we often abandon our posts too quickly. The marriage that needs work, the dream that requires sacrifice, the prayer that seems unanswered; all these require Rephidim-like perseverance. In spite of being British-born, I had to wait 20-long years before I finally obtained the right to live and work in the UK and issued a British passport. I thank God for the Aarons and Hurs that the Lord sent my way during this period. There were times when my arms were weak and began to fall but these people were there to life my hands up until  everything was accomplished. As Paul encourages us, "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

After the victory, Moses didn't simply move on to the next challenge. He built an altar and named it "Jehovah-Nissi" (The Lord is my Banner), creating a permanent memorial to God's faithfulness. This act of remembrance wasn't just about the past, it was investment in future faith.

How quickly we forget God's interventions in our lives! The job that came just in time, the healing that defied medical explanation, the relationship that was restored against all odds. Like the Israelites who quickly forgot their deliverance from Egypt, we often face new challenges with amnesia about past victories. Creating our own "altars”, whether through journaling, testimony-sharing, or celebration traditions, helps us remember that the God who helped us yesterday is the same God we face tomorrow with.

Moses could have sent Aaron and Hur to pray whilst he coordinated the battle below. Instead, he took the most vulnerable position—standing exposed on a hilltop with arms raised, an easy target for enemy archers. True leadership isn't about delegating the difficult tasks; it's about taking the position that others cannot or will not take.

In every sphere of life, from parenting to pastoring, from managing to mentoring, people follow leaders who lead by example. When a CEO takes a pay cut before laying off employees, when a parent admits their mistakes to their children, when a pastor visits the sick at personal risk, they embody Moses' mountain-top leadership. As Jesus himself demonstrated, the greatest leaders are servants first (Mark 10:45).

The battle of Rephidim wasn't won by military strategy or superior weapons. It was won through raised hands, supporting friends, enduring faith, grateful hearts, and exemplary leadership. These aren't ancient principles gathering dust in history; they're living truths for today's battles.

What is your Rephidim today? Where do you need to raise your hands in surrender to God? Who are the Aaron and Hur in your life that you need to call upon? What battle requires your perseverance until sunset? What victory needs to be memorialised with gratitude? Where is God calling you to lead by example?

The same God who gave Israel victory at Rephidim stands ready to fight for you today. But like Moses, you must be willing to climb your mountain, raise your hands, and trust that even when you grow weary, God, through His people and His power, will sustain you until the sun sets on your victory.

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." - Exodus 14:14