“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11
God never designed us to fight the battles of life on our own. Nor did He design people to be completely independent of one another. The Lord reveled this to us in the very beginning when He created Adam. Adam alone in the Garden of Eden had everything, except the one thing that would complete him and help him-a partner in life.
Though the Lord could have very easily kept Adam alone, He didn’t. He saw the absence and need of a partner. “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.” Genesis 2:18 Therefore God created Eve. Eve filled the void (the animals did not) she became flesh and bone.
So it began-companionship and help, thus fast forward to Exodus 17: 11-12 and read again how important the help and companionship of Aaron and Hur were to Moses during this phase of reaching the promise land.
“Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.” Exodus 17:12
Do you know God could have very easily held up Moses’ arms, He could have filled him with so much strengthen to do it alone, but He didn’t-He used Aaron and Hur and I believe He did so to show us the importance of three things; companionship, encouragement and help. As a body of believers we are not to work independently of each other but as one, just as God shows us Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua and the Israelites all did.
Listen to what Isaiah says we are to do as believers and partners of Christ Jesus.
“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those who are afraid, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.” Isaiah 35:3-4 Help and companionship!
Look at Hebrews 12:12
“So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.”
Christ is our source of strength, through Him we can press on, and help others press on. We should always look to our first and real companion Christ Jesus to give us the strength we need, and then we must be willing to help others with that strength we are given.
Prayer: Lord thank You for opening my eyes to see the importance of companionship and helping others. May I always draw on Your strength and then help others with the strength You have given me. Amen
