Today, I was reading in Exodus 17, and the Lord impressed upon my heart to share something with you. Before we get there, here’s part of the passage I read:

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.’

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So, Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13

When the Israelites were attacked, Moses sent Joshua to lead some of the men in battle. While the two groups were fighting, Moses took the staff—the one God had touched for signs and wonders—and raised his hands to the Lord. While his hands were raised, the Israelites were winning, but when he lowered them, the Amalekites were winning. Why? Because when Moses had his hands lifted to the Lord, the Lord fought for the Israelites.

If you’ve ever tried to style your hair in a fancy updo, or have had other overhead tasks, you know how tired Moses’ shoulders must have become. He wanted to keep his arms raised so his people, the Israelites, would win the battle. When he grew fatigued, Aaron and Hur stepped in to help. They put a stone under him so he could sit, and they each held up one of his hands until sunset.

Guess what! The Israelites won. 🙂

When you’re in the midst of a battle, remember that you are not alone. As a child of God, not only is He with you, but He has also given you brothers and sisters in Christ. These are people who can support and encourage you in your walk with God. When your shoulders grow weary, and it’s all you can do to lift your hands, they can help hold up your arms.

Brothers and sisters in Christ are a gift. In Proverbs 18:24, it says:

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

When times are hard, or we feel overwhelmed, it can be tempting to want to isolate ourselves and go it alone. Maybe we don’t want to answer questions. Perhaps we don’t know how to articulate what we’re feeling. Or maybe, we feel ashamed by something we’ve done and don’t our friends to know that in our own eyes, we’ve failed.

In Proverbs, it also says:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

True friends will love you through the adversity. They will love you in the rain, in the pain, in the chaos, and when you feel lost. If you’re trying to fight a battle alone, I encourage you to open up to one of your brothers or sisters in Christ. Let them walk beside you; stand together in faith.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

If you’re walking through something, and don’t have a friend who is a believer, I encourage you to reach out to Diane of Diane Burke Ministries. She is a minister whose heart overflows with the love of Jesus. She can help answer questions, support you in prayer, and/or connect you with a church family near you.

God bless you, and remember you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Thank you for reading, and have an incredible day!