Tired Arms

“When Moses arms grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other- so that his hands remained steady til sunset.” Exodus 17:12

My husband has a workout he does occassionaley called “The 100 pull up workout.”

It’s pretty simple – he goes over to our high school gym and does…

100 pull ups.

Now I love to exercise but even if my life or my children’s lives depended on it – I couldn’t do 100 pull ups. In grade school the girls would have a test for those presidential fitness awards ( the most stressful part of my elementary school experience) called the ” Arm Hang.” You essentially hung on to a bar, arms bent to keep your chin above the bar, for as long as possible. I think I maxed out at about 3 seconds. I’m not kidding. If only a couple of my friends were allowed to stand under my body and support my floppy tri – ceps. My upper body strength leaves something to be desired. This is not a slam on myself – just a fact with which I am perfectly happy to live.

The history of the Israelites records an account of a battle between Israel and the Amalekites. Moses is attempting to lead a bunch of people through a barren land to get to a promised space full of milk and honey. (hmmm.. wonder if they had discovered the honey oat milk latte… my new favorite coffee treat..) As the attack ensues Moses commands his right hand man, Joshua, to go and fight.

“Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side , one on the other – so that his hands remained steady until sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. ” Exodus 17: 9-12

Moses – competent leader of many. Moses a man who talked to God face to face. Moses strong, powerful, wise….. could not carry out his calling alone. In this account we see a man physically exhausted, arms shaking and in what may be one of his wisest moments of his life, accepted the support of his friends. Aaron and Hur have joined Moses on the hill and when it becomes clear their leader needs support – they swoop in , provide a rock to sit and literally hold Moses arms up for the duration of the battle. Moses doesn’t push them away letting pride get the best of him. We see no struggle, no “I got this” just a man willing to receive the much needed assistance from two people he trusted the most. His ability to admit his personal limitations lead to the saving of thousands of Israelite lives. The battle was won because he stayed obedient to the direction God had given – even if it meant humbling himself to identify he was at the end of his personal rope.

Yesterday – my arms were tired. I bet yours may have been as well. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a season of life where I have known SO many that have had SO much with which they are struggling. The private battles happening in the homes of people I love are real and hard and dang it….

heavy.

And we cannot keep trying to carry the burdens alone.

I am incredibly blessed to have an inner circle posse. An Aaron and Hur if you will that I know will swoop in and hold up my arms. They are faithful, present and continually remind me of God’s promises, power and provision. I hope that I have been that for them as well. When I reached out to them yesterday morning… they did what they do best and held my arms. It took about 10 minutes of voxer messages back and forth and I felt the shaking stop. My triceps relaxed, peace entered my body and the victory march began. The challenges didn’t disappear but the day was won.

How are your arms doing today? Are you in need of a little relief? Is the shaking beginning to wear you down? Friends – I beg you ….

Pay attention.

We were NOT wired to walk out this life alone. There are passages all over scripture that proclaim this truth. Our sometimes stubborn, pride filled selves can be our greatest enemy. Our independence is serving no one.

I hated those days sitting on a cold gym floor awaiting my turn on the arm hang. It was lonely and intimidating. How I needed an Aaron and Hur. The good news is – the gym floor days are over… I’ll never take another presidential fitness test again. And my weak, floppy arms …. they are ready and eager for the strength of my faithful friends.

Are yours?