Who's Holding Your Arms Up?

       When I was in junior high a handful of us would have competitions in the weight room where two guys would face off holding five pound weights out in front of them straight armed to see who could outlast the other. As soon as one person’s arms dipped below level, there were the yells of victory and the agony of defeat. I remember the face off’s being surrounded by a lot of hype and people circled around watching. On a few occasions some of us junior high kids would challenge the high school football players, and on the rare occasion one of us beat them it was bragged about for the week.
       I was reminded of this when I read the story of Moses and the Israelites defeating the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16. Moses had the staff of God that God had used as a sign to the Isrealites numerous times so that they would know that God had appeared to Moses and was with him as their leader. Moses had used the staff of God to part the Red Sea, make water flow from a rock in a dry and desolate place to name a couple of the miracles. When the Amalekites attacked the Isrealites at Rephidim, he told one of his leaders Joshua to take some men and go and fight the Amalekites. Moses stood at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands raised above his head. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands the Amalekites were winning. I remember trying to hold my arms up for a few minutes with the small weights, but I can’t imagine trying to do this for an entire day! And on His own Moses wasn’t able to do this. But God used the power of fellowship to see His miraculous provision through. Aaron and Hur moved a stone for Moses to sit on when he grew tired, and they stood beside him, one on one side and one on the other, to keep his hands steady until sunset. The entire day Moses had his hands lifted up to the throne of the Lord, recognizing the Lord as his Banner, and the Israelites were victorious.
       Moses couldn't have done this on his own. This story shows us the importance of fellowship and accountability. There are sometimes that we need the help of others around us to support us in trying times where we are unable on our own. God intends for us to have friends that will stand beside us, remind us of God’s truth when we doubt, empower us in times when we are weak, and celebrate when things are awesome. Be intentional about meeting consistently with one or two guys that will help keep you accountable, be there in the trying times, and there to celebrate the great times as well. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.