There’s a passage in Exodus 17 where we learn that the Israelites are going to battle against the Amalekites. Moses told Joshua to round up men to fight, and then Moses said that the next day he was going to climb to the top of the hill and stand with the staff of God in his hand. God had made the staff (picture a big stick) do some wondrous things in the past—pulling water from a rock, for example—so it made sense that Moses wanted his staff at the ready when his people went into battle.
Sure enough, Moses climbed the hill the next day, and Aaron and Hur went with him. When Moses raised his staff, the Israelites did well in the fight against the Amalekites, but when Moses lowered the staff, the enemy began to make progress. Just picture that pattern: staff up = smiling emojis for the Israelites, staff down = frowning emojis for the Israelites.
So it’s no wonder that Moses figured out he needed to keep the staff up all the time.
The problem, however, was that Moses was old, and he was weak, and Scripture tells us that his “hands grew heavy” (v. 12). So Aaron and Hur stepped in to help. They found a stone for Moses to sit on, and then they stood on either side of him and lifted his arms. The staff stayed up until sundown, and the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. Even now we can extract some great lessons from the hilltop experience of Moses and company.
Ready?
- Remember that you need each other. Moses could have gone up the hill by himself, but he knew his limitations. You need to know yours as well—and know that it’s okay to admit it when you need help and support. Whether you’re struggling in school, processing something difficult that’s going on in your family, or dealing with heartbreak, you need other people who love you and will help. You don’t have to carry burdens alone. Ask the Lord for friends who are strong when you are weak.
- Be wise about who walks uphill with you. You absolutely can be friends with lots of people. But when tough times hit, it’s a good idea to keep your circle small. You want friends who are trustworthy, loving, and loyal. That requires discernment and knowing who is best for you in a particular situation. When you’re confiding in too many people, you have to rehash what’s going on in your life over and over, and that will leave you emotionally exhausted. Be wise.
- Remember that your friendships can encourage other people. If you’ve ever watched someone love someone else really well—if you’ve ever seen a family member or a friend meet another person right in the center of his or her need, then you know what an encouragement that can be. When people see you and your friends genuinely supporting one another, it spurs them on like Moses’ staff spurred on the Israelites. You’ll encourage people you don’t even know are watching.
When you’re facing difficult times, think long and hard about what friends are going to walk up the hill with you. Then lift that staff. Pray. Accept help from your people.
And trust the Lord for victory.
1. When you’re facing a challenging situation, do you immediately run to people? Or do you tend to keep things to yourself?
2. Who are your “uphill” friends? Who are the people you depend on when life gets difficult?
3. You probably haven’t had someone help you hold up an actual staff, but when was the last time someone lifted your arms, so to speak? When was the last time someone (or several people) anticipated your need and then met it?
4. Look up Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 and write, doodle, or illustrate it below.
Today’s Prayer