Exodus 17:12-13 But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.

These verses remind me of PT in the army, where you had to hold your rifle with your arms straight out in front of you. You wouldn’t believe how quickly a rifle held like that becomes too heavy to hold up. The first guy to drop his arms, of course, had to run to the furthest bush and back.

Israel had only been in the desert for a short time. They weren’t yet organised enough to have an army to protect them from enemies. Remember, they had been slaves and didn’t know much about war or how to defend themselves.

The Amalekites must have suspected this. The Israelites were easy prey for them with enough possessions to steal, not to mention all the young men and women they could just kidnap.

But they were wrong. Not about the men’s fighting ability, but about the God of the Israelites.

Moses told Joshua to take a few strong men and take on the attackers. Standing atop the hill, he raised high the staff he had once used to strike the rock. As long as his hands remained in the air, the war went in Israel’s favour, but when his arms got tired, and he lowered the staff, it swung back in favour of the enemies.

Fortunately, the men came up with a plan. Aaron and Hur came to stand beside him and helped Moses hold his arms in the air. At sunset, the enemy gave up and ran away with their tails between their legs.

Would the enemy have won if Joshua and the men weren’t there fighting? For sure! Would the enemy have won if God had not come? For sure!

Yes, most of the time we must also show up and do something. But then we must trust God will also do His part. And He will! That’s for sure!

Prayer
Father, thank you for always coming to me, no matter what I do. Thank you for protecting me, even when I don’t even know it …

Questions
Where do I try to carry everything on my own without help from God or other people?
Who has God put in my life to hold my arms up when I get tired?
Do I believe that my efforts, combined with God’s power, secure the victory?

Do this now
Think about one area today where you have grown tired and honestly admit that you need help.
Contact someone and ask for practical help or support. Don’t try to do everything on your own.
Also take your “battle” to God in prayer and trust Him to do His part while you do your part.