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encouragement

We’re In This Together: Little is Big

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But 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. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Little is Big

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.

Exodus 17:12, NASB

Moses,_Aaron,_and_HurIt’s the wash-rinse-repeat cycle of the day-to-day that can leave me feeling a little less than encouraged. In the mundaneness of daily life, I can completely overlook what God is doing around me and fail to notice the opportunity to do the good that He has placed right in front of me.

Of the three men that were stationed on the hilltop, he is definitely the lesser known. In fact, little is known about Hur, the man who partnered with Aaron as they stood beside Moses, keeping his hands raised to heaven as he fervently prayed for the Israelites. I for one, had read this story countless times failing to notice the significance of his actions in this fascinating story.

Hur is a supporting character in this story. He wasn’t a valiant warrior in the battle, putting his life on the line for his country. Nor was he the one entrusted with the staff of God, whose prayers on behalf of the Israelites would win the battle for God’s people.

From the little that we know about him, he was none of those. He was just a regular guy. Much like you and me. However, on that day, there was a job needing done that had been ordained by God, and Hur was ready and willing to do it. When Moses’ arms became exhausted and weary from the battle, he was there.

If there were a hero to be named in this story, Hur wouldn’t get that honor. However, on that day his seemingly “little” actions: rolling up a stone for Moses and holding his arms up in prayer, profoundly impacted a nation for the glory of God.

What is your job today? Are you teaching a room full of children? Caring for an aging parent? Sitting in a classroom?

No matter where you are or what you are doing, the Lord has a job for you. Nothing done in the name of the Lord is insignificant to God.

Dear Lord, we pray that You would open our spiritual eyes to the needs of those around us and that our eyes would be opened to the tasks that You have placed before us. Help us not to miss out on what You’re doing around us. Amen.

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

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We’re In This Together: Can I Get You A Stone?

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But 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. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Can I Get You A Stone?

But 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.

Exodus 17:12, NASB

praying_on_bible_redBeing stretched beyond our capabilities, our family needed the support and encouragement of others who could come alongside us, helping to meet tangible needs and keep our arms raised in prayer. Was it hard to admit that we needed help? You bet. In addition to the unexpected health issues I was facing, I was also suffering from pride. I didn’t want to admit that we needed help, and I certainly didn’t want our burdens to burden others.

However, all it took was a simple prayer request to those whom we knew would pray for us, and a faithful group of believers came alongside of us.

Warm meals were delivered to our home. Friends took over the responsibility of not only getting my children ready for school but also getting them there and back home again. When my kids ran out of bananas, we found bananas on the front porch that had been left by a thoughtful friend.

Sometimes we get to be Aaron’s and Hur’s. We are the ones who rally around another to encourage them through the meeting of physical needs and praying on their behalves. Other times, like Moses, we are the ones that are exhausted, overwhelmed, and weary from battle and we need help ourselves.

Maybe the battle has left you feeling that way? Maybe you are exhausted and you’re not sure that you have the energy to pick your head up off the pillow or the faith to muster up another prayer? God has never asked us to hold it all together. In fact, His grace is sufficient for us and His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Friend, if that is where you find yourself today, I urge you to share your struggles with a trusted friend whom you know will come beside you and faithfully lift you up in prayer.

If you’re not the one that is on the front lines of battle today, someone you know is. They need prayer, a warm meal, money to pay an electric bill, or just someone to listen. How can you encourage someone today?

Dear Lord, thank You for including this beautiful story of believers lifting one another up when the battle leaves us exhausted. Please give renewed strength to those who are doing battle today, and I pray that You would send help and encouragement their way. Lord, the battle is all around us, please open our eyes to someone who is in the thick of the battle and help us to come alongside and encourage them. Amen.

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

We’re In This Together: Keep It Steady

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But 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. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Keep It Steady

But 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.

Exodus 17:12, NASB

countrychurchGod’s people were under attack by the Amalekites at Rephidim, and His church is under attack today. There may be no swords being drawn, but the spiritual battle is real and the effects are undeniable.

The statistics are alarming. The American church is in decline. Pastors are walking away from their pulpits and churches are shutting their doors. In many cases, more people are sliding out the back door of our churches than are entering through the front doors.

We are greatly blessed by those who have accepted their call by God and are faithfully leading, serving, and encouraging God’s people. Our pastors, missionaries, and other lay leaders are on the front lines of battle as they serve God and serve others. They fight battles that, like Moses, leave them weary, exhausted, and overwhelmed. They get sick. Their marriages struggle. They have more bills than they have money in the bank. And their children are faced with the same worldly temptations that ours are.

None of us are made to go to battle alone, and just as Aaron and Hur rallied around Moses, it’s important that you and I encourage those who have accepted God’s call to serve.

Sometimes encouragement comes in the forms of spoken or written words. Other times it’s in meeting a tangible need, but most importantly, we must come alongside them and keep their arms lifted high in prayer. We must be committed to praying for them personally, as well as for their families, and for their leadership. It was prayer that won the battle for the Israelites, and it is prayer that will win the battle today.

I ask you today, friend to friend, how can we encourage those who have been entrusted by God to lead us?

Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up our pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders to You. Lord, we ask for their equipping by You to do the work You have called them to do. Please show each of us how we can encourage them and help us to commit to prayer on their behalves. Amen.

Amazed by His grace,

Traci