God of multiple breakthroughs

Exodus 17

In this chapter we learn that God can give water to His people and also defeat their enemies. If He provided sweet water and defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptians, why can’t He provide water at Rephidim and defeat the Amelakites? He is able to grant multiple breakthroughs. When our lives are bounded on the West by lack and on the East by enemy attacks, the Lord of hosts will fight and win our battles for us. He is the Lord who grants the redeemed multiple breakthroughs.

What can we learn from Exodus 17 to help us put our trust in the Lord who provides and protects us?

#1. God provides water for His thirsty people. (Exodus 17:1-7)

Life is full of twists and turns. Even as we walk with the Lord, there will be things that will hit us to test our trust in Him. Israel came to Rephidim and found no water to drink and therefore started complaining against Moses and Aaron again. Here again, they had forgotten the Lord who provided sweet water, meat and bread. Instead of trusting Him for what they needed, they complained about the issue. Moses reported the behaviour of the people to God and to the extent of threatening to stone him. God told Moses to go with the elders and then strike the rock in Horeb to provide water. It happened as God promised. If God is capable of doing something for us, why don’t we come to Him in faith and put it before Him to resolve it instead of complaining against Him? Complainers don’t get answers. Faith driven people do.

#2. God defeats the enemies of His people. (Exodus 17:8-13)

At Rephidim, the Amalekites came to attack Israel unprovoked. They came to defeat and humiliate the people of God but their God was with them. He gave them the battle strategy; Moses, Aaron and Hur went up the mountain to raise the rod to heaven whilst Joshua and his chosen men went to the battle ground to fight. Israel won. God is with us to teach our hands to win our warfare. The enemy can come against us in many ways but they will be defeated and flee in multiple ways. Our God is a man of war who has never lost a battle. He can make us win when we do not have what it takes to fight our enemies. With Him, all things are possible.

#3. God commands us to testify of His goodness. (Exodus 17:14-16)

After the enemy had been defeated, God commanded Moses to memorialize the victory of the Lord. He should note it down as a testimony for the goodness to subsequent generations. Moses, the servant of the Lord, did what God commanded. Victory is very good and sweet but we must not forget it. We must document the victories of the Lord and share with people. It will potentially build our faith in times when we are required to trust God. Don’t be too excited and forget what God does for you. Keep them in your heart to recount to future generations and to build your faith in God.

God is able to grant multiple successes on any day when we call upon Him. He provided water and defeated the Amalekites.

Take Action: Ask God to fight your battles for you.