1/30/2016 0 Comments Strength in numbers 8The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
10So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12When 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. 13So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Exodus 17:8-13 These verses came up in my daily reading a day or so ago. I have been pondering them since then. I have read them before but this time they really meant something. Maybe it is because of current life situations that some of my friends are facing (or rather not facing or attempting to handle on their own). I will be the first to admit that I don’t always like to ask for help when I get to the end of my strength. I would rather tough it out than burden someone else with my issues. Why do I assume it is a burden? I find my own faith is enhanced when I am allowed to help a friend. Why do we deny those who care for us the opportunity to minister to us? Moses led a nation into freedom. He performed great miracles. God spoke directly to him! And when the time for battle came, he accepted help from his brother and another believer to assure victory. When the burden became too much for him to bear and he could no longer keep his arms steady and elevated, he allowed someone to assist him when he needed it. He didn’t shrug off the efforts to help him and say, “No, I got this. Don’t bother yourself.” He sat down on the stone couch Aaron made for him, probably grateful to rest his legs (although I am not too sure how comfortable it would be to sit on a rock for an entire day.) When his arms started to flag, weakened from hours of being held aloft, he allowed those close to him to help shoulder the load. He didn’t brush them off or fake that he was fine and dandy, he acknowledged his need for assistance and accepted it. No one can be strong all the time. God made us for relationships. He made us for community. He made us for fellowship. When we deny these longings, we contradict our composition. If we are really trying to be more real and more open, shouldn’t we acknowledge the times we are overwhelmed and gratefully accept the help offered us by our friends? You can’t be strong all the time. Sometimes the battles are too long to fight solo. Sometimes the enemy amasses an army that is too big to conquer alone. When this occurs, press into God knowing he will hold you through it all; and allow your friends the chance to comfort you when you need it. You would do the same for them!
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AuthorI am a Christian, a wife, a mom, and a part-time basket case who wants to be a full time writer.
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