Exodus 17:10-13
10Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
This is such a cool story. I’m curious how long it took them to figure out this pattern. They might have said, “Moses, it appears that when you’re hands are raised, we win. But when they’re lowered, we lose. Try it.” They were most likely excited to learn this. However, Moses is unable to keep his arms raised. His friends have to help him.
This is a wonderful lesson that God teaches them. Have good friends around you and ask them for assistance. God wants us in relationships. He wants us to be interconnected. 2 Timothy 2:2 gives three generations of people who are looking for a fourth: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
When I was young I wanted a best friend. I had some great ones. But I don’t think it’s very healthy when it’s solitary. I now think of friendships as an ocean tide. In my present state of family, work, school, church, high school friends, college friends, etc, I have three or four groups that I interact with regularly. I see others, but less frequently. Two years ago, due to my life circumstances, I had other groups that have disbanded. Not for bad reasons, just different life circumstances. The tide had changed and brought us to different places. We are to connect with those that are rubbing up against us in that particular point in life.
God is the one who directs the tide (our daily, yearly circumstances). He brings us into several types of relationships. Multiple relationships were mentioned in Timothy. There are ones inwhich we receive, those inwhich we give and plenty inwhich it’s mutual. We need to have all of these. Do we have more mature people that feed into our lives? Are there those inwhich we give to? We need them all. God’s tide will bring them. We need to be open. Some may be annoying. Ask for patience. Who knows, maybe we are the “annoying ones” to some.
Today’s passage was in the context of war. We live in the midst of spiritual warfare. The devil still seeks to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). He wants us depressed and ineffective to help others. We need to have friends to share our burdens. We also need to be able to call them for prayer support. “Hey, I’ve got a crazy day tomorrow. Can you pray for me?”
Lord, thank You for the relationships that You have us in. Help us to be the one’s that hold up the arms of our friend, like in today’s passage. Help us to be open at all levels. Help us to be patient. Thank You for all Your blessings.