Lift Up Your Hands
You all know this story well. Just a few weeks after God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt, they were attacked by the Amalekites, who cowardly targeted the stragglers in the back of the procession. That led to Moses commissioning Joshua to gather men who would fight a battle the next day. Men died on the battlefield, but God did not inspire Moses to write about the costs, how many men died and how many were injured. He inspired Moses to write about who won the battle, and the how and the why, the strategy that brought victory. Simply put, it was prayer. Moses took his staff and went up on the top of a hill, probably so the men could see him up there and so he could see the men. Aaron and Hur went with him. Every time Moses had lifted up his staff before this, he was directed by God and the staff was a symbol of God’s power. Now his people were being attacked and Moses lifted his staff as the battle raged below him. I believe Moses reaching up to ask the Lord to do what was needed, lifting up holy hands to our mighty Warrior God. It was a physical picture of prayer, whether he was actually saying any words or not. Moses also began to realize that whenever he lifted up his hand to God, Joshua’s army prevailed over the Amalekites. When he dropped his hand, the Amalekites prevailed. We might say, Moses, why do you keep dropping your hands? But seriously…how long could you hold up one or both of your hands in the air? Could you do it all day? Of course not.
Aaron and Hur saw what was going on so they got a stone for Moses to sit on and then stood on either side of him, helping him hold up his hands. I honestly don’t know how they held up Moses’ hands all day long, but it may be that when they stepped up to help, God gave them strength beyond their ability. But I love this picture. These two men came alongside to strengthen their brother. We see this story played out in the lives of the first believers. Jesus told Peter that he was praying for him that his strength would not fail after Satan sifted him. Then Jesus said, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter did just that, didn’t he? He took the hand of the lame beggar and lifted him out of his infirmity. Later, when Peter was in prison and expected to be executed the next day, the church gathered to lift up their hands and their voices for him. God heard their prayers and sent an angel to deliver Peter from prison. The church could not physically deliver Peter from prison but they knew the One who could, so they came together for prayer. It is what we are called to do as well. To hold up the arms that are weary. Paul wrote, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
We know this battle with Amalek is a physical picture of a spiritual reality. We get tired of battling with sin. We get weary of running the race God has called us to run. We get beaten down by the mundane chores of everyday life, taking care of a house and trying to stay healthy and paying the bills and just trying to keep our head above water. And added onto that for many are troubled marriages, kids rejecting the faith, young people longing to be married and not knowing where that person is, older people fearful of the future or a medical diagnosis. And all around we hear people crying, “I need help! I can’t keep going.” Be willing to answer that cry. You may be Aaron or Hur who hold the arms up for someone else. You may sometimes be a Moses who needs others to hold your arms up.
I like what JC Ryle said: “The Christian is known by two great marks: his inner warfare and his inner peace.” He is also known for his willingness to serve others who are weary from the battle and no longer able to stand.
Go ahead. Lift up your hands, and help others do that, too!