So, I’m not unlike anybody else in this fallen world. There are peaks and valleys in this life we live, and sometimes the peaks AND the valleys take my breath away! I love the peaks and dread the valleys…but God is gradually, tenderly teaching me to appreciate the valleys, too. I mean, without the valleys, would we truly appreciate the peaks in this life? Would we recognize blessings without experiencing lack? God doesn’t call His changing us “the Refiner’s fire” for no reason! Sometimes, growing in Jesus is hot and unpleasant! But oh the change that occurs in us, as He allows us to grow and change.
So, I’ve promised to be raw and honest as God draws me toward Him and His Word, in various ways. Please don’t hear complaining here, but rawness. Life has been HARD, lately! Financial pressures, inability to do some things that need done, parenting 4 busy girls, and Lyle’s recent struggles with back issues. A couple of days ago, the dam broke, and the tears came! No, not just tears, but primal screams of emotion. But God hears us in those raw moments. And in that moment, He allowed one of Lyle’s employees to be here, and he listened to me worry, and then he, and Lyle, and I prayed in the driveway.
Then, today, another raw, weak moment of the enemy knocking on the windows of my mind, whispering his lies, and tangling my emotions (and perceptions of godly reality) up in knots! A precious friend of mine has recently stepped back into my life, as a lifeline to God! She has strengthened me as I’ve fought these recent battles, and I found myself needing to hear her gentle, encouraging voice. And as I cried out to the Lord, driving alone in my car, too weak in my spirit to even find words to pray, He gently reminded me of a Bible story.
In Exodus 17, we read the story of how Joshua and his men defeated Amalek. Moses told Joshua to fight the next day, stating that he (Moses) would stand on the mountain, holding his staff during the battle. Moses didn’t go up the mountain alone but with Aaron and Hur. When Moses’ hands were held high, God’s favor rested on Joshua and his army, but when Moses’ hands began to droop under the weight of weariness, the strategic advantage shifted. Aware of the situation, Aaron lifted one of Moses’ arms, and Hur lifted the other. They supported Moses’ arms until Joshua and his men soundly defeated Amalek.
And the Holy Spirit began to show me truth. You know the old saying, “If the devil’s mouth is moving, he’s lying?” And yet, don’t we all listen to him WAY more often than we should? I know, personally, he likes to tell me that I should NEVER ask anybody to pray for me or my family. “If you really loved Jesus, you would pray your SELF out of your problems!” Now, don’t get me wrong…I believe there is a fine line between running to others to pray for you (but letting THEM do all the work) and being willing to stand your ground and take your God-given authority to command the enemy of your soul to go on his merry, hateful way! and sometimes, that line is a bit grey!
But this morning, God reminded me of this Bible story from Exodus 17. God didn’t call us to live this life alone, but in community. Sometimes, God allows us to be Aaron, holding up Moses’ arms so that he could stand firm in his God-given role in the battle that was being fought around him. Sometimes, God allows us to be Moses…the guy who needed Aaron’s help, in the first place, because he was weary of the battle he was helping to fight. And sometimes, God allows us to be Joshua, the guy on the front lines of battle, empowered by Moses, who was empowered by Aaron and Hur, and all of the above, ultimately empowered by God!
Are you being Aaron, today, to someone in need? Could you be? Be bold, and step forward to bear someone else’s burdens! Are you Moses, today…trying to hold your hands up in the battle, but growing battle-weary? Don’t be afraid to ask God’s people for help AND for prayer! You see, all that we face is filtered through the very fingers of Jesus, Himself. Every trial and every triumph in our lives is frought with purpose, directly from God! You see, sometimes, we go through things so that we can help someone else in similar circumstances, later. And sometimes, God allows others to go through trials and tribulations so they can help us when we need them! This is how God works. God allows our “mess” to be his “Message” to others…and He allows the messes of others to be Messages to us! That’s the kind of God we serve!
Lord, Jesus, thank you that my ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts. Help me grow to be like you. Help me to be willing to be Aaron…and Moses…when you want me to be! Help us to be willing to ask for the help of your people. Help others feel confident to ask us to help them, and help us be willing to be their Aaron in times of need! Thank you for loving us enough to guide and direct us and to give us revelation into your purposes. Most of all, thank you for loving us enough to send your Son to save us!