“10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
We are living in a world where everyone wants to be Moses! Most people don’t want the responsibility of leadership, but they sure are good about trying to make all the decisions. Are you a very good encourager? It seems like most of the time we are the proudest of the prideful. We want things our way when we are not even in a place of leadership. Regardless of where your position is today, whether at work, church, or home, look at verse 12 again, “…and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side…” In the context of this scripture, Moses, the leader of Israel, has become weary from holding up his hands. The Bible says that when his hands were raised, Israel would prevail against Amalek, but when his hands were heavy, weary, and hard to hold up, Amalek would prevail. Moses needed encouragement, not direction!
Where is your place today? What position are you in? You may not be in a leadership position yet, because God wants you to learn how to hold up the hands of others as an encourager. One thing about hunting, that can really give you a bad taste, is a prideful man or woman who thinks everyone should hunt like them. I’ve heard so many hunters make negative comments towards others because the buck they shot wasn’t big enough. If I could say one thing, shoot the deer that makes you have a fun time and fun experience. That is what hunting is all about. If you like big bucks, great! Keep hunting that way, but how dare anyone talk down to another hunter because they shot a small buck or even a fawn. It doesn’t matter the age, whether young or old, you must realize that others don’t have the same perspective as the big shots! Maybe next time, bite your tongue and say, “Congratulations, what a nice deer.” Recently, I was talking to some hunters at a local restaurant. I asked if they had done any good. One guy said he shot a button buck and the other was like a small 6 point. They felt a little hesitant when they responded with their hunt and it was nothing more than fear of what someone else might think of them. Our hunting society is so full of themselves. I made it clear to both of those hunters that you don’t need to care what others think. Hunt the way it makes you happy. Make sure you take a picture of the smaller deer too, because one day you will look back at the memory and wish you had a picture! I know Satan drives us to pride, but for once, can we put ourselves aside and encourage others in their success? Be an encourager, not a negative know-it-all!
This is the same issues we see in the church, home, and work place all over our country. Have you tried to encourage your pastor lately? What about Sunday school teacher, spouse, or supervisor? Moses didn’t need help in what to do, but he did need help in what he was doing! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Regardless of what position you’re in, ask God if there is someone that you could help encourage! “…and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands…” You never know what someone is dealing with, do your best to help them!
Memory Verse
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
