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On Israel’s journey toward Sinai, Amalek came out and fought with Israel. Moses instructed Joshua to go out to the battle while he went and stood at the top of a hill with the staff of God in his hand. While the battled endured, Moses did some enduring of his own. As long as Moses kept HIS HAND UP, Israel continued winning, but whenever he lowered his hand Amelek would begin to prevail. Growing weary as the battle pressed on, a stone was placed under Moses for him to sit on while Aaron stood on one side and Hur on the other, each HOLDING UP THE HANDS OF MOSES. This continued until Amalek and his people were defeated. ( Exodus 17:8-13)

Most of us could lift a five to ten pound weight without much difficulty. We could perhaps even hold it out for several minutes without feeling the strain. However, the longer we have to hold it the more difficult it becomes, not because the weight changes, but because of the length of time endured.

Life is that way. There are many challenges and burdens we may handle quite well for the moment. The difficulty is when we have to continue bearing them. Then when weariness begins to set in we may be tempted to drop our hands and give up. That’s when we need the help of the Aaron’s and Hur’s in our life, to assist us in keeping OUR HANDS UP so that victory can still come. We are not expected to go it alone. We need each other and should accept the help when it is offered, as well as being ready to provide the support to others when it is ours to give.

Paul exhorted…
“BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” ( Galatians 6:2 ESV)
In verses two and five of this chapter, Paul made reference to bearing. The same Greek root is used in both places. However, in verse two Paul’s exhortation was to “bear one another’s burdens” while in verse five the focus was on the individual responsibility to bear one’s own load. The difference between the two passages is the “burden” and the “load”. There are some loads in life no one can bear for us. Though others can encourage us to press on, we must accept the need to endure. The idea in verse two is that of an overload. Rather than dropping our hands and quitting, others can assist to lighten the load by helping hold OUR HANDS UP so that we are able to continue enduring regardless of the length of time.

May we be blessed with such Christian friends who are ready to help when the heaviness is felt. Let us also be that blessing to others when they have the need. Together, keeping our HANDS LIFTED UP to God, we can continue to stand, pressing on toward the victory He will provide.

Have a great day SUSTAINED TO PRESS ON!
Carl

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