Holding Up The Hands of Those Who Are Tired

This post wasn’t what I had planned for today, but yesterday was a rough day for my local Moms in the Making group. Three people received bad news, and it left me devastated. I am feeling a little helpless, for sure. Feeling like I wish it was me, not my sweet friends. Feeling frustrated and confused. And to be honest, I am just left feeling sad for my friends.

The Lord reminded me of Exodus 17:11-13 which says, “ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 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.”

The phrase “held up his hands” in this verse refers to a posture of prayer, meaning, when Moses prayed, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he stopped praying, the Israelites were losing. This verse shows the importance of prayer, because the victory of the battle was dependent on Moses praying. But what happened when Moses got tired? Aaron and Hur came along to help. Moses wasn’t going to win the battle alone, but with his friends help, he could “remain steady till sunset.” And because of their help? Israel was victorious.

The outcome would have looked much different had Moses been on his own. But when his friends stepped in to help pray? He was able to defeat the armies. So what about you? How many times have you grown weary? Exhausted? Been too tired of holding up your own hands? You aren’t meant to go through life and fight your battles alone which is why it is not only important to surround yourself with Christians, but share your story too. The ups and the downs. The good and the bad. The trials and the blessings. All of it. The reason? Because the only way people can hold up your hands is if you invite them in to be a part of your journey.   

I realize being in community will look different for everyone. It should of course include being involved in a church. Maybe a small group. Maybe a group of tight-knit believers. Whatever it looks like, find people who will hold your hands up, when you can do so no longer. I always remind myself that if Jesus walked with 12 disciples, we should too.

I hope I can be a friend to others like Aaron and Hur were to Moses. Even though, to be honest, I feel like if I relate to anyone, it’s Moses. The very reason I am where I am today, full of faith and expectancy, is because I have had so many friends come around me to hold up my hands. Sadly, some friends haven’t lasted as the battle I have been facing has been to fierce, but I am so thankful for the ones who have clung by my side through all the ups and downs. The ones who pray for me, when I have no words left. The ones who encourage me, when I feel discouraged. The ones who let me know they are believing for me, when I have no faith. The ones who allow me to cry, without me saying a word.

I have needed a lot of prayer and a lot of encouraging during my five year wait. I only hope that today and the weeks to come I can be more like Aaron and Hur, extending the love and prayers instead of receiving them. I hope I can hold the hands of my friends up. I hope I can lend a listening ear. And even though I can’t take away their pain, I know that the only reason Moses gained victory, was because his friends prayed, and I know the most important thing I can do as a friend, just like Aaron and Hur, is pray. I assume the Israelites victory was just as exciting to Aaron and Hur as it was to Moses and when you pray, believe and hold up the hands of your friends then soon enough you will be celebrating your friends victory too. Their win is also your win and your win will be their win!

So whose hands can you hold up today? Who is in the middle of a battle and is fighting it alone? Or maybe today, you see yourself as Moses and you need your hands held up high. Ask for help when you need it. Allow others in on your story. And know that just like with this passage in Exodus, prayer changes everything. It is the difference of winning or losing the battle. So if today, you are feeling weak, then ask those around you for prayer. But also look around to see whose hands can you hold up today. Every prayer matters and your prayers could change the course of those who can’t hold their hands up any longer.

PS. Are you looking for support on your fertility journey? Did you see the announcement I made?

PPS. Have you picked up a copy of my book? Buy In Due Time, a 60-day devotional for hope + encouragement in the waiting.

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