Family Holds Your Hands Up

“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. 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.” Exodus 17:11-12 NLT

One morning, last week, I woke up to a devastating text message on my phone. One of my dear sister-friends was about to face a life-changing trial and she needed intercession. She was facing the possible consequences of poor choices made in the past – we’ve all been there! My heart ached for my sister, but I knew immediately what I had to do. First, I called her to talk about it. After explaining the situation, she told me that she was at peace with whatever the final outcome would be.

It hurt to see her suffering, but I know we serve a God who is full of grace and abounding in mercy. So, I asked her only one question. I said, “I need to know just one thing. Is it truly that you’re at peace with whatever happens next or is it that you’re too tired to keep fighting? Are you tired of going back and forth in this situation? Because, if you are tired, I will fight for you. If you are tired, we will be like Aaron and Hur, who held Moses up; and we will hold your hands up, interceding and believing for your situation.” That day our small circle of sisters in Christ fasted and prayed, standing in the gap for her.

I love the story of Israel’s battle against the Amalekites because, when Moses grew tired and his arms started falling, they didn’t accept what was happening. Aaron and Hur, who were with Moses on the hill while the Israelites fought in the wilderness, understood the significance of this fight and Israel’s victory. They didn’t get caught up in feelings or circumstance. They stood by Moses’ side, found a rock for him to sit on, and held up his hands. They held up his hands so Israel would win the battle as God promised. This is why we need family in the faith who are not going to back down and who will lend their strength when we grow weary. We need family who will intercede and fight as if they were in the fight themselves. We need family who, when our arms grow tired, will hold our hands up in faith that we will win. And, we need to be willing to do the same for them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this favor-filled and faith-filled Monday. Thank You for the opportunity to grow in faith and lend my faith to those who need it. Holy Spirit, help me to be aware of times in which I can sharpen others according to Proverbs 27:17. Father, Your Word says one can take one thousand, but two can put ten thousand to flight! I thank You for a Spirit of boldness to stand in the gap for those You send my way. And, I thank You that You’ve placed people of faith in my life who will hold my arms up when I grow weary. I pray for each person in my life; thank You for the hedge of protection You place around them and that You bless them abundantly. And, I give You all glory, honor, and praise in Jesus’ name.

Weekly Wisdom Challenge: Wise women know we are in warfare everyday we open our eyes. It might not be our war, it might be someone else’s, but there is a war that we’ve already won as long as we show up! We know that our God is Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the God of armies, never loses a battle! So, this week’s challenge is to pray that God opens your eyes to those who are, currently, in a faith fight and weary. Ask God to send someone your way that you may stand in the gap for them, then do it! The Bible says when you get involved in someone else’s situation, God gets involved in yours. Be Aaron and Hur for someone who’s tired of fighting and fight like your life depended on it! Spread the faith, let me know how it goes!