In the book of Exodus, Moses instructed Johua to fight the Amalekite army in the valley as he stood on top of the hill holding the staff of God. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning but as soon as it lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. Because He knew it would be a long day of battle, God provided Moses some reinforcements!
Moses brought Aaron and Hur to the top of the hill with him. When his legs grew tired, they brought a rock for Moses to sit on. When his arms felt heavy and weak from holding the staff, each man stood on either side of Moses to help him keep his arms raised high. So, side by side they kept Moses steady until sunset and Joshua defeated the Amalekites.
None of the men could have experienced the victory without God, without a doubt! But God made the men dependent on each other as well. Moses supported Joshua by intervening on his behalf to bring victory. Aaron and Hur supported Moses by coming along side of him to hold up his arms when he grew tired. Each man had a specific purpose in God’s plan, and the battle was won!
When I think back on some of the “battles” I’ve faced in my life, I can clearly recall who God placed around me. These people were not just members of my tribe, who I do life with, but people who stepped into a specific role to support me at the time. Each scenario strengthened me, taught me, and made me appreciate the willingness of those who came to my side in my moments of need.
Who is supporting you? Do you have a legacy of love and appreciation for those who have stood by your side in your battles? Do you have war stories and battle scars that you alone can share? Or do you try to fight your battles alone? Do you hide your struggles and your weakness so that no one knows what you’re going through? If so, how’s that working for you? Are you winning your battles?
God has a plan for our lives, and unfortunately, there are some battles to be fought. But He loves us too much to make us fight the battles alone. He chooses who to bring alongside of us to support us in the ways He knows we will need. The amazing thing about this story is that God gave each man clarity about how to help the person he was intended to help. Aaron didn’t run into the valley to hold Joshua’s sword, he knew he was needed on the hilltop to support Moses! When we allow others to help us, we all win! God is glorified, we are victorious, and they are blessed to have been part of the victory. So many of us are busy trying to support others but forget to allow people to support us but the blessing is intended to go both ways – it is given and received!
Be blessed,
Jennifer
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2