Exodus 17:3 - When We Are Equipped With Nothing But Faith
Exodus 17:13 stands out to me, it says, “So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword..” Now, at first glance, it might just sound like a standard battle victory, but when you think about it, there’s something deeper going on here.
Let’s take a step back. The Israelites had just escaped slavery in Egypt. They weren’t soldiers—they were brickmakers and laborers. These people didn’t have an armory stocked with weapons, and they weren’t trained for war. So, when the verse says Joshua defeated the Amalekites “with the edge of the sword,” it makes you stop and wonder… Wait, where did they even get swords?
They weren’t a well-equipped army. But here’s the thing—God doesn’t always need us to have everything figured out before He steps in. The Israelites might not have started that battle with a bunch of swords, but somehow, by the end of it, they were using swords to win. That’s God’s provision in action. He didn’t just drop a victory out of the sky—He used the tools they had or the tools they didn’t even know they had. God’s saying, “You may not feel equipped, but I’ve got this.”
This is where faith comes in. The Israelites went into battle with nothing—no weapons, no training—but they still showed up because God told them they would win. That takes faith. And by the end of it, they’re out there wielding swords they didn’t even think they had.
This is a powerful reminder today that God often equips us along the way. We might start a challenge feeling like we have nothing to offer—no “weapons” to fight with—but if we step out in faith, God can provide what we need, even if it seems impossible. Sometimes, we think, “I’m not prepared for this,” or “I don’t have what it takes,” but God can turn whatever we have, or whatever we think we don’t have, into what’s needed for the victory.
Another thing to notice is that even though God was in control, the Israelites still had to fight. Faith wasn’t just sitting back and watching God do everything—they had to get in there and swing those swords. God expects us to step into our battles, even when we feel unprepared. He meets us in our action and faith and equips us as we move forward.
So, here’s the takeaway:
First, when we feel like we have nothing, God can still use us. He can turn “nothing” into the tools we need to overcome.
Second, faith isn’t passive. We have to take action, even when we don’t feel ready because God will equip us as we move forward.
Third, the victory doesn’t depend on what we have or don’t have—it depends on God’s power. He provides, He equips, and He brings the victory.
So, if you’re feeling like you don’t have the tools or the strength to face what’s ahead of you, remember this story. The Israelites started that battle with nothing, but God showed up and turned their situation around. All He asks is that we step out in faith, and He’ll take care of the rest.
