Her thirty classmates and their parents watched as MiAsya nervously walked to the podium to speak at her fifth grade graduation ceremony. When the principal adjusted the microphone to MiAsyas height, she turned her back to the microphone and the audience. The crowd whispered words of encouragement: Come on, honey, you can do it. But she didnt budge. Then a classmate walked to the front and stood by her side. With the principal on one side of MiAsya and her friend on the other, the three read her speech together. What a beautiful example of support!
Moses needed help and support in the middle of a battle with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:1016). As long as Moses held up his hands [with the staff of God in his hands], the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning (v. 11). When Aaron and Hur saw what was happening, they stood beside Moses, one on one side, one on the other, and supported his arms when he grew tired. With their support, victory came by sunset.
We all need the support of one another. As brothers and sisters in the family of God, we have so many opportunities to encourage one another on our shared journey of faith. And God is right here in our midst giving us His grace to do that.
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Todays reading starts with what may seem to be two insignificant details: The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. The Amalekites were distant cousinsthe descendants of Abraham and Isaac through Esau (Gen. 25:23; 36:12, 16). And Rephidim was the place where the Israelites grumbled against Moses and regretted their decision to leave Egypt (Ex. 17:17). This circumstancebetween slavery and inheritanceforced the Israelites to face their doubts and questions. Is God with us? Can God deliver us? As the battle raged, it became apparent that they were victorious when Moses held high the staff of Godthe object representing Gods power and presence. God had not abandoned them and He was able to give them victory.