[The Israelites in this very first encounter were at times repulsed; and victory was long held in suspense, before it was finally declared in their favour. Thus we must expect, that our enemies, though frequently beaten, will return to the charge, and often threaten our very destruction. But, if wounded, we must apply to Christ for healing; if faint, we must beg him to renew our strength; if driven before our enemies, we must rally, and resume the contest, ever remem- bering under whom we fight, and how much depends upon a victorious issue. We must also, like Aaron and Hur, assist each other; holding up each other's hands, and animating each other's hearts ; nor ever terminate our exertions, till God shall scatter all our enemies, and bruise under our feet the van- quished foe.]
3. That a believing use of the appointed means, how inadequate soever, or even useless, they may appear, will be crowned with success at last —
[Nothing can be conceived less connected with the event, than the means which were used by Moses; yet were they necessary : for if, when through infirmity the use of them was intermitted, the scale of victory was instantly turned in favour of the Amalekites, much more, if he had disregarded them altogether, would the most fatal effects have followed: but the persevering use of them procured at last the desired success. Thus the attending of public ordinances, and waiting upon God in secret, may seem but ill calculated to produce such great effects as are said to depend upon them: but, as the occasional and unallowed neglect of these duties is attended with many painful consequences, so a wilful contempt of them would infallibly terminate in our destruction. On the other hand, a diligent and continued attention to them will and must prevail : our prayer shall go up with acceptance before God, and the word we hear shall prove " the power of God to the salvation of our souls." Only let us " lift up holy hands with- out doubting," until the evening of life, and we shall be " more than conquerors through him that loved us."]
Address,
1. Those who know nothing of spiritual conflicts —
[If they, who are at ease in Zion, and experience no spiritual conflicts, were real Christians, there would be no re- semblance at all between them and the Israelites, by whom they were typically represented ; and all that is spoken about the Christian warfare, the armour provided for us, and the General under whom we fight, would be altogether without a meaning. But in vain shall the true Israelites expect peace, as long as there are any Amalekites in the world. Our Lord
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