Tired Hands

Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. Exodus 17:12 NLT

You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.  Isaiah 57:10 ESV

The strongest arm will fail with being long held out.

~ Matthew Henry

In this Old Testament account found in Exodus 17, Moses is in a difficult, and wearying, situation. As the Israelites battled their enemies below him, Moses stood atop the mountain, arms raised with the rod of God tightly gripped in his hands. As long as his arms remained raised, the Israelites prevailed against their enemies. But, when he lowered his arms, their enemies began to prevail. Weariness became his greatest enemy. Until his close friends stepped in. They provided a spot for him to sit, and got right in the middle of his situation by literally holding up his arms for him.

I am reminded of a couple of points in this account from Moses’ life. First, anyone can handle just about anything, as long as it’s short in duration. But trials are seldom neatly packaged with expiration dates stamped on the bottom. No. They show up and demand our near constant attention and stamina, with no idea when they’ll end. Oftentimes, we start out singing God’s praises and praying for a quick resolution, only to become wearied by the sheer length of the trial. Though we are trusting in God’s faithfulness, the length of the trial can cause weariness to become our greatest enemy.

Secondly, when facing the inevitable trials of life, we need other Believers to come alongside us, and help “hold up our arms”. Aaron and Hur were close enough and involved enough to recognize that Moses was in distress. Are we allowing others close enough to see the “real” us, the “real” challenges we’re facing? No doubt about it, it’s humbling when we allow another to get close enough to realize that we need a little arm-raising help. No one likes to admit that we’re on the cliff’s edge of growing weary and worn-out.

Are you a Moses or an Aaron today? Are you the one fainting from heaviness and the length of a trial or are you the instrument God has provided to help someone else? Wherever you find yourself in this O.T. account, let me encourage you, stay the course. Refuse to give up. The Lord will provide whatever, or whoever, you need to do what He’s called you to do. 

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your wonderful provision on my behalf, providing the Aarons and Hurs just when I need them or allowing me the privilege of being an arm-lifter to someone else. I bow in worship to You, O Most High! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus