Lily Girls Magazine

By Leslie Hunt

Exodus 17:12

“Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.”

I have always loved this passage in Exodus. The book of Exodus deals with a man named Moses who was called upon by God to lead his people (the Israelites) out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Exodus chronicles the trials, victories, disobedience, and ultimately God’s promise and goodness to his people. In this particular part of the story, Moses was holding up the staff in his hands as Joshua fought the army of Amalek (a wicked nomadic tribe that made their living by bringing war and stealing from their enemies). The staff that Moses held was much more than just a stick, God anointed it, an object to reveal his power to the people. It wasn’t the stick itself that was powerful, but the fact that God used it to show others His supremacy. Verse 11 says, “As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. When Moses became weary the men who cared for him literally held his arms to make sure the staff was held. Because of this the Israelites were able to defeat the Amalekites and ensure their victory.

This is exactly the story that came to my mind just the other day. A good friend of mine lost a brother in an accident this week. We talked for a few minutes and the weariness in his voice was apparent. As I came before the Lord to pray for him, the Lord brought this passage to my memory. There are so many things that we can do for friends. We can serve, encourage, sharpen, challenge, love, and so much more. But often times we are so wrapped up in our own world that we miss opportunities to meet the needs of people we care for. All Christians go through times of being in the “desert” so to speak. Times when the Lord feels far, our circumstances seem defeating, and we are weary. What a testimony of friendship to hold the arms of a friend in his or her time of drought. Consider what that means for a minute. The only way I could do this for my friend was to fall on my knees and pray for him. In his time of need when his faith is tested and Satan would have no more than to have him give up, blame God, and walk away, I will hold the arms of the exhausted to ensure his victory.

Friendship is so much more than getting what we can out of it. More than talking excessively too much on the phone. More than laughing the entire night about inside jokes. More than a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to talk to. More than painting nails and shopping. More than all the things that so often steals our time and affection. Friendship is an avenue for the gospel in which we can be the light of Christ for someone who needs to see victory in his or her life. All the other things, although good, are secondary to our service of others.

So whose hands will you hold up to ensue victory?