158

Genesis 17:11-12

"And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."

The Israelites are in a battle. Moses is their leader. The Amalekites were serious enemies of the Israelites (God's chosen people), and they had to be defeated. Every battle God's people fought was vitally important, and had to be won for them to get one step closer to Canaan, the Promised Land. Every battle counts.

This story is a beautiful image of life, it's battles, the importance of praising Jesus through it all, and the beauty of helping others hold their hands up through their own battles. Just like Moses, keep your hands up in the air, praising Jesus, victorious in Him, and you will win your fight. Do NOT let the enemy beat you with weariness, fatigue and exhaustion. And if you feel it coming on, get people next to you to hold your hands up high in the air. Good friends, good support - people to hold up your arms up to heaven - is precious and must be sought after, because you will need them.

So I have two points: In the raging battles you will face in life (don't be fooled - everyone on the planet, especially those who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, will fight them), keep your hands up in the air i.e., praising Jesus. Please keep praising Jesus with every ounce of energy you can muster up, and keep on your knees with hands raised to Him. More importantly, keep the hands of those you love up in air; up in the air praising Jesus. The battle is won when our hands are lifted, in worship.