The enemy had arrived on their doorstep. It was time for the Israelites to fight. So Moses told Joshua to choose some men and go out to war against the Amalekites. While the battle was raging, Moses positioned himself atop a nearby hill with the staff of God in his hands.
While Joshua led with a sword, Moses would lead with intercessory prayer and the wonder-working staff of the Lord. His lifted hands symbolized the intersecting of the two – surrendered prayer and the power of God.
As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. As the minutes stretched into hours, Moses’ hands grew heavy, weakened as tiredness took its toll.
Seeing the results of this, Aaron and Hur took a large stone and set it beneath him. Then they positioned themselves, one on each side, and held up his hands so that Moses’ hands remained steady until the sun went down and victory was secured.
The enemy was defeated with the power of Joshua’s sword propelled by the power of God in response to Moses’ yielded prayers and outstretched arms.
Prayer continues to be our greatest weapon still today. But sometimes, our hands get heavy. Our hope dries up, and we grow weary from interceding. Sometimes we need help holding our hands steady as the battle rages on and on and on.
Having friends like Aaron and Hur beside us is helpful when the world weighs us down. And knowing we are not the one in control of the battle’s outcome is even more imperative. It was not the strength of the warriors that carried the day for the Israelites. It was the power of God responding to the prayers of His friend.
God wanted to make it clear who was ultimately responsible for the victory.
He still does.
When exhaustion hits and our prayers dry up, the spiritual power that once felt so real seems to disappear. But when we surround ourselves with faithful friends, we grow stronger. As we press in toward God’s throne together, we watch the tides turn in our favor once more, swayed by the hand of a loving Father.
God responds to yielded prayers. And He sends help when our hands grow heavy.
The strongest of arms will falter from being long outstretched, but God’s never wavers with heaviness. The Lord Himself lifts up the banner of His love over us and flies the flag of victory.
Vigilant 24/7.
Intervening 365.
Always upholding His chosen ones, no matter how heavy our hands.
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This post was written in conjunction with https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/03/10/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-heavy/ Teaming up with an online group of writers who encourage others to share the words God has given them. The gist is to write for five minutes on a one-word prompt, then post your writing and link up with others who do the same — no overthinking, no deep editing, just free-writing in a short amount of time.
I appreciate your post. This is so true: “Prayer continues to be our greatest weapon still today. But sometimes, our hands get heavy. Our hope dries up, and we grow weary from interceding. Sometimes we need help holding our hands steady as the battle rages on and on and on.”
Prayer is our greatest (and sometimes only) weapon.
Just stopped by from FMF#10
Such a great reminder to surround ourselves with Faithful friends. That is not something I have found in my current location.
It can be challenging and takes time to build deep friendships in new places, but it is worth the investment. May Father bless you with an “Aaron and Hur” for the long haul soon, Cindy.
My legs and hands are heavy,
and cancer’s gonna win,
but I’ve earned this high levy
for my admitted sin.
I left some fair hearts broken,
for I’d not known they cared,
but nakedness was token
of the love they dared
to offer to one such as me,
a cold and distant man,
who had not the decency
to speak of his life-plan
that embraced the Third World strife
and left no room for gentle wife.
This scripture is a personal favourite of mine. Many times I have felt my hands become heavy as I lift my hands up in prayer over an issue that burdened me. To be reminded that it is God not us who has the victory and He will lift our hands up so they feel light not heavy. Thank you for your insight into this passage of scripture, blessings Leisa
I’m thankful our Father is never weighed down by our burdens and that He shares His love and strength so freely. Here’s to living lightly in our prayer life. <3
Love this post. Not so easy to fund the Aaron and Hur though.
Thanks for sharing.