“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Exodus 17:12-13 (NIV)
After Moses led His people out of slavery in Egypt, they saw the miracles of God’s mighty power and lovingkindness. He parted the sea for them, gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry, and destroyed their enemy who pursued them to the edge of the sea. Pharaoh and his army were finally out of their lives for good, but soon after that victory, they had a new enemy to contend with.
They had to quickly progress from slaves to warriors, fighting the various enemy tribes in the area, who tried to prevent them from moving into their promised land.
Joshua, was mentored by Moses, but his gift was in the area of military skill. He led the Israelite army as they were confronted in battle with one of their new enemies, a tribe known as the Amalekites. Moses stood on top of a hill, holding up the staff of God in his hands, so his army could see it and be inspired. It was the same staff that he held over the sea when it parted, and it became a symbol of prayer and trust in God for victory. As soon as Moses held his staff up high in the air, the Israelites saw the staff instead of the multitude they were facing, and they started winning the battle against the Amalekites.
When Moses’ arms grew tired, he lowered them, and the enemy started to gain the advantage. In seeing this trend, Aaron, the brother of Moses and Hur, his friend, rushed over to stand on each side of him, holding up his tired arms. The battle immediately began to move back in favor of the Hebrew army.
Aaron and Hur found a large stone and put it under Moses so he could sit down. They held up Moses’ arms, so that the staff was high and visible for all to see, and the battle was finally won. God’s chosen people won the victory and could finally move on toward their promised land.
We are all God’s people, on a journey to reach our promised land, which is heaven. We have highs and lows throughout our lives. After we experience many blessings and miracles, we could suddenly find ourselves faced with a new spiritual enemy. We face many obstacles in this life until we get to our promised land, and sometimes our faith and hope becomes weary, just like Moses’ arms.
The prayers of fellow believers uphold us when we are weary, just as Aaron and Hur upheld Moses’ arms. Joshua’s army received hope and faith by seeing the staff of Moses held high in the air, on the top of that hill, and they won the battle.
We look to the cross, which was also at the top of a hill, and is our symbol of victory. As Moses rested himself sitting on a rock, we are resting on the Rock of our salvation, Jesus, who is our ever present help in times of trouble.
David repeatedly referred to God in the Psalms as his rock, and Isaiah also wrote,
“Do not tremble, do not be afraid…..
Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” (Isaiah 44:8)
God wants us to know that He is more than enough to get us through the battle. There is no greater help than to trust in Him, and no other Rock, but Jesus. With prayerful support, we put all our hope in Him, keeping our eyes focused on His cross of victory, with nothing to fear.
This past week, I can identify with having weary arms, in a battle of faith. I can also identify with the gospel story of the father who came to Jesus, saying, “Lord, Help me in my unbelief.” Even if our faith is weak, other people’s prayers are a gift of comfort, that lift our arms of hope and faith, and keep our eyes upward, toward Jesus. I thank you all for your prayers.
In my last conversation with my son’s surgeon, he told me that Jon is doing better than he ever expected. The bleeding in the brain has subsided enough that the two drains have been removed. The drain in his chest has also been removed. He moves his legs and his left arm, but is not following any commands or waking up yet. He has a long road of recovery ahead.
Besides knowing that so many are still praying, my comfort is found in practicing the presence of Jesus through all of this. If I keep my eyes upward, I draw my strength from Him. The presence of Jesus is with all of us in every battle and storm we face.
“Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Lord, thank you for praying friends and I ask that you lift up the arms of all those who are weary today. Help us to rest on you, our Rock, and to keep our eyes on you, instead of the enemy. Give us victory over every spiritual battle before us, and let your divine and perfect will be done. Amen