Deuteronomy 25:17–18: “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.”

March 12th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

It seems the entire nation of the Amalek, or the Amalekites, were deceitful. They knew they could never successfully bring a frontal attack against God’s people, so instead they attacked those who were lagging behind. They tried to steal from the stragglers, the very young and the aged who lacked the strength to keep up during the exodus. What a vivid picture of the body of Christ today.

Satan uses the same strategy with us. He rarely attempts a frontal attack. He almost always ambushes us, stealing from those closest to the rear of the church. Of course we don’t mean those sitting in the back of the church, although that may or may not apply too. No, the attacks of Satan happen to all of us but they are more focused when we are vulnerable. When we are tired, discouraged, or struggling with the normal day-to-day issues of life, lagging behind in our faithful prayer, reading of God’s word, and witnessing to others. But there is a prescription for our weariness. And it’s not that we need more leisure time, to take a vacation, or get more bed rest.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:30: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” If we are struggling, it isn’t the yoke of Jesus that is pushing us down. We need to be under His yoke. We error when we try to carry life’s loads by ourselves, using a single yoke. Jesus never intended for any person to carry their burdens alone. Jesus deals only in two-sided yokes, and He pulls under one of the sides. Which yoke are you under: Jesus’ or your own? We must constantly remind ourselves that when we are lagging behind we are becoming vulnerable to attack. When we stay yoked with Christ, by staying in His word, in prayer, and by sharing His love with others, then we are refreshed and carried along by His strength. A good friend gave me a little plaque with a scripture quote that stares at me every day. It is so simple. Why must I keep relearning it over and over again? “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

“LORD, please speak to us today through Your word and others, in Jesus’ name.”