COMING ALONGSIDE

COMING ALONGSIDE

READ:  Exodus 17:8-16

Aaron and Hur held [Moses’s]

hands up-one on one side, one

on the other.  Exodus 17:12

Her thirty classmates and their parents watched as Mi’Asya nervously walked to the podium to speak at her fifth grade graduation ceremony.  When the principal adjusted the microphone to Mi’Asya’s height, she turned her back to the microphone and the audience.  The crowd whispered words of encouragement:  “Come on, honey, you can do it.”  But she didn’t budge.  Then a classmate walked to the front and stood by her side.  With the principal on one side of Mi’Asya and her friend on the other, the three read her speech together.  What a beautiful example of support!

Moses needed help and support in the middle of a battle with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:10-16).  “As long as Moses held up his hands [with the staff of God in his hands], the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning” (v.11).  When Aaron and Hur saw what was happening they stood beside Moses, “one on one side, one on the other,” and supported his arms when he grew tired.  With their support, victory came by sunset.

We all need the support of one another.  As brothers and sisters in the family of God, we have so many opportunities to encourage one another on our shared journey of faith.  And God is right here in our midst giving us His grace to do that.  ANNE CETAS

Who could you help today?  Or do you need support yourself?  Who could you ask?

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Hope can be ignited by a spark of encouragement.

INSIGHT

Today’s reading starts with what may seem to be two insignificant details:  “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.”  The Amalketies were distant cousins-the descendants of Abraham and Isaac through Esau (Genesis 25:23; 36:12, 16).  And Rephidim was the place where the Israelites grumbled against Moses and regretted their decision to leave Egypt (Exodus 17:1-7).  This circumstance-between slavery and inheritance-forced the Israelites to face their doubts and questions.  Is God with us?  Can God deliver us?  As the battle raged, it became apparent that they were victorious when Moses held high the staff of God-the object representing God’s power and presence.  God had not abandoned them and He was able to give them victory.  DENNIS MOLES