Surrendering to Win

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

- 1 Corinthians 9:22

In Exodus 17, we read the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt and into the promise land, but they hit a few road blocks. They ran out of water, there were gossiping and murmuring, and they all felt like they were going nowhere. At this moment in the story, Moses encouraged the people to create alters in this journey to remind where the Lord has brought them out of. This was a sign that they needed to remember what power God holds.

Later in the story, there was a battle between them and Amalek. During the battle, Moses stood at the top of the hill with his hands in the air. When his hands were up, they were winning the battle. When Moses lowered his hands, they were losing. This went on up until the battled ended and finally gave victory to the Israelites.

In this battle, there were some roadblocks and some travailing, but throughout the entire war, Moses knew he had to keep his hands up.

When we raise our hands, it’s mostly looked at as a sign of praise. Others see it as a gesture of surrendering. When I look at the action, I see it being both. To win our battles, and to conquer the evilness of this world, we must surrender to the King of Kings. He provides the strength and power when we finally lift up our hands in the midst of our battle and say, “Lord, I surrender.”