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The fight is real, isn’t it? And it can take on so many forms.
I remember hearing the unfortunate news at Chinese school pick-up that my son had been involved in a fight during first grade recess. This news brought the added challenge of language translation to determine what had actually transpired. As my mind was still spinning with “What’s the best way to handle this?” his best friend’s father stepped forward and asked his son, “Were you in the fight?”
“No,” he shook his head honestly, and I imagined him being let off the hook. But instead, his dad reprimanded him: “The next time your best friend is in a fight, you’d better fight beside him!”
I don’t think there was any question that this dad’s military background influenced his insistence on his son’s fighting alongside his closest friend.
When the Israelites found themselves in battle against the Amalekites, Joshua rose to the occasion as military leader, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed the nearest hill to keep watch. When Moses raised his hands, the Israelites did well. When he lowered them, they faltered. The struggle became clear: how could he keep his hands in the air as he grew increasingly weary? That’s when Aaron and Hur realized their critical support role...
“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.” (Exodus 17:12)
And the result?
“Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” (v. 13) The Israelites’ victory belonged to Joshua. And it belonged to Moses. And the behind-the-scenes credit also went to Aaron and Hur. Ultimately, though, as we all know the battle belonged to the Lord, who united them under His banner. Moses insisted that the credit went to Him.
“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, ‘For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD.’” (v. 15-16a) May we, in like fashion, lift our hands to the Throne of God today.
We are not able to win our battles single-handedly, and fortunately we don’t have to.
In what battles have you needed friends to lift your arms, and when have you been able to lift the arms of others when their fights became too much for them?
When my 14 year old son was hospitalized and eventually received the diagnosis of brain cancer, friends around the world lifted my family’s weary hands through his Caring Bridge site. It was such a strengthening sacred space where we felt carried through prayer during his medical crisis.