Let me encourage you.

I love it when I come across something new in God’s Word. It happens all the time. And, what’s funny, is that it’s not really new. It has been sitting in front of my face for YEARS, the Holy Spirit JUST brought my attention to it.

Read on.

“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Pick out some men to go and fight the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on top of the hill holding the stick that God told me to carry.” Joshua did as Moses commanded him and went out to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning. When Moses’ arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites.” Exodus 17:8-13 (GNT)

Let’s recap. The Amalekites are challenging and attacking God’s chosen people. So, Moses sends Joshua to pick out some men and fight the Amalakites on the following day. When the sun rises, Moses takes Aaron and Hur with him and climbs to the top of the hill. Here’s the kicker. As long as Moses’ arms are held up, the Israelites are winning. However, when Moses lowers his arms, the Amalekites begin to win the battle. So what can Moses do? Nothing. He literally can’t do it on his own. Enter onto the scene, Aaron and Hur. They see what’s happening and are quick to pull up a rock and prop themselves UNDER Moses’ arms. The rest of the story? The Israelites win the battle.

There are so many ways to look at this story from Exodus.

Joshua. He’s in the valley fighting the Amalakites. Remember. Joshua doesn’t know what’s going on with Moses and the arm scenario. He just knows that he is fighting one moment and all seems to be going well, another moment? Not so much. I wonder. Was he able to see Moses? If so, did he catch on to what was happening? Did he see that, when Moses had his hands up, the Israelites were winning and when they were down, they were losing the battle? Now, bring this story to today. Haven’t we all found those moments when we’re in the valley fighting? Some moments, it’s great. “We can do this! We can win the battle!” Other moments, we feel as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel. “Stick a fork in us. We’re done.”
Moses. My heart always goes out to Moses. Here’s a guy who follows God’s instructions. But, have you ever noticed something? God doesn’t always give us ALL of the details? God didn’t tell Moses that if he dropped his arms, the Israelites would lose. Moses just obeyed what was asked of him telling Joshua, “I will stand on top of the hill holding the stick that God told me to carry”. How do you think Moses felt in the midst of this day? And, by the way. It was a day! As in, “sun up to sun down” kind of day. That’s a LONG time to keep your arms held up. Don’t you think Moses had some questions for God in the midst of that day? “Ok. Wait a minute. I am being obedient here to what You told me to do, God. You never told me this was going to be difficult! Only that you were going to fight this battle for me.” Sound familiar? I’ve had these Moses moments in my life as well.
Aaron and Hur. I love that these guys don’t say a single thing in the story. They just have great seats to what is happening. I wonder how long it took them to catch on to what was really happening? Whatever the amount of time, they figure it out. And, do you see it? They don’t run over and tell Moses, “Hey! I got this. Give me the staff and let me do this for you!” Instead, they pull up rocks on either side and support Moses without saying a word. They just choose to support Moses and prop his arms up on them. Beautiful. We need those friends in our lives, don’t we? Sometimes when we see people going through conflict, we want to say the right thing and bring comfort. Maybe, what’s more powerful than words is simply our presence and shoulders to prop them up on?

Ok. Now HERE is where I must confess my guilt. I have ALWAYS stopped at this portion of the story. But wait, there’s MORE! Read on.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered. Tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites.” Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my Banner.” He said, “Hold high the banner of the Lord!” The Lord will continue to fight against the Amalekites forever!” Exodus 17:14-16

Praise God! Do you see it? God said, “Write this down. There’s a lesson for all of you found within this battle”. The battle will be won. God will not let anyone over take His chosen people. Our reminder? It’s His battle. We must be obedient in the midst of it and remember, He goes before.

The significance of the phrase, “The Lord is my Banner” is huge. In times of war, it is the banner that leads the way into battle. The first thing seen is the banner with which the troops are fighting under. God is reminding us all that we don’t fight alone. God has gone before. God is over all and God will be triumphant over ALL foes that bring attack against His children. Our role? Be obedient in the midst of the battle.

Whether we’re in the valley with a sword and shield, whether we are on a hill holding up the staff of God praying for those we know in battle, or whether we are sitting at the bedside of a dear friend wounded, weary, and unable to hold their arms up. Hear this: