Lifting Up Those Moses Hands

One of my favorite passages from the Book of Exodus is this:

"So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a hill. 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." (Exodus 17:10-13)

Very simply, it shows how even the great leader Moses needed others around him.

Without others to help us in life and in our walk with God, our hopes of success would probably be somewhat slimmer. I know mine would.

In the long run, I can't imagine a life lived in fullness without the presence of others holding us up. Ask any pastor, any administrator, any businessperson--any human being. It just doesn't seem possible.

With the presence of friends and companions along the way, much more can be done. Goals can be achieved that were once out of reach. Battles can be won that seem hopeless. Comfort can be given where before there was none.

And if community is in general such a powerful force, how much more so in the Church. In the Church--and I mean the true Church that is Christ's body empowered by His Spirit, not simply some fancy building with air conditioning and bulletins and ladies in doilied dresses--in the Church that is the body of Christ we are called and have the opportunity to do just what Aaron and Hur did for Moses. We are blessed to allow others to help us fulfill our lives' calling and service for God, just as we are called to lift up others.

That's how I think the Lord wants things to be done. He has bound us together for just such a purpose.

It may sound idealistic. I just think its true:

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their
possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." (Acts 2:44-45)