Exodus 17:8-13 Amalek came and attacked Israel in Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua fought against Amalek just as Moses had instructed him; and Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses would raise his hands, then Israel prevailed, but whenever he would rest his hands, then Amalek prevailed. When the hands of Moses became heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other, and so his hands were steady until the sun went down. So Joshua destroyed Amalek and his army with the sword.

Wait….”Joshua destroyed Amalek and his army?” Hold on a minute. What about the other fighting men? Wasn’t their contribution important enough to mention when the final credits were rolling?

For that matter, where were the kudos to Aaron and Hur for standing for hours holding up Moses’ hands? Moses sat while they stood! The Bible doesn’t say what the weather was that day, but it could have been scorching! Without Aaron and Hur, Moses’ hands would have been down as much as up, and the Israelites could easily have been the army that was destroyed that day. But once the battle was over, they didn’t even get a mention!

Honestly, I think had I been involved in any way at all that day, I would have been sure to let at least my closest friends know (in all humility of course) the part I’d played. I’d probably have hung around Moses long enough to make sure he mentioned more than once or twice that he couldn’t have done it without me. (Apparently Aaron and Hur weren’t still in “Humility 101” like I am. 😊)

You know what I think? I believe that Moses and Joshua, Aaron and Hur had all witnessed enough of the awesome power of God that they each realized that every day, every battle, every provision, every deliverance wasn’t about any of them…it was always about God’s intervention on their behalf. Their role was to be obedient and allow God to be the director.

For Aaron and Hur, God’s direction was to support Moses. Had they taken it upon themselves to be the staff holders while Moses took a break, can you imagine the disaster that would have happened? Yes, theirs were only supporting roles, yet they were just as vital to the victory that day as Moses was. 

Moses’ role required both physical strength and faith in God. The day wore on, and he eventually came to a place where his physical stamina was depleted, even though his trust that God would bring victory was still strong. He needed support, and he knew it! Did you notice that the Bible doesn’t tell us that when Aaron and Hur offered help, Moses said, “That’s okay boys, I’ve got this!” It was Moses’ role to hold up the staff and also to be humble enough to receive help. That allowed him to keep his faith-filled prayers flowing with the staff of God held high.

Lately this story has been speaking to me about prayer support. 

Sometimes—truthfully I think most times—I believe the best support I can give is to slip into my “prayer closet” and pray. Really pray. Pray as if my friend’s battle is mine. Pray those “effectual, fervent prayers” that James wrote about. (5:16) Without Moses’ prayers that day the battle would have been lost. I need to pray, believing that prayer IS support. I need to pray prayers asking God to bring strength to the one who is engaged in the battle. Pray, not for my name to be in the credits, but for God to deliver strength and supernatural refreshment to my friend.

The story has also made me think of the humility of Moses as he received the support he needed.

When we are in a situation where we are praying in faith, but the battle is long, we need the support of others.  We need their prayers of intercession and worship holding up our hands. We need them, not because our faith has waned, but because battles are wearying, and God never meant us to fight alone.

I’m learning that when we humbly ask for or receive prayer support, we are pleasing God and agreeing with His Word: Ecclesiastes 4:12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

Father God, thank You for listening when we pray. Thank You for being a God who answers prayer! Thank You for placing me in the body of Christ, where each of us needs one another. Teach me to set aside pride or any other excuse that keeps me from acknowledging that I am growing weary and need support. But also teach me to be that support for those I know who are engaged in long, overwhelming battles. Show me how my prayers can hold up their weary, albeit faith-filled, hearts. And thank You most of all that when we are engaged in prayer that You are fighting our battles for us!