Over the last couple of weeks, God has reminded me several times, through His Word, that He is faithful and He has faithful followers. As I’m sure is true for us all, I have times of weariness.

My love received an award (he is a perpetual student) of a generous gift card from Lifeway and he graciously invited me to choose a few items. It was hard to narrow it down to a few choice books, but I finally decided one thing that I was unlikely to splurge on otherwise would be the Psalms and Proverbs Illustrated Bible. I decided to use it to study the Psalms this summer. I have appreciated, once again, the raw emotion displayed by David and others as they beautifully express their troubles, desires, needs and thanksgiving before the Lord and how almost all of the Psalms turn to praise before too long. I love the progression from hopelessness to peace exemplified in this poetry and how we can experience this transformation, too! God is faithful and encouragement and comfort are found in His Word.

I was on Children’s Church duty a couple of weeks ago. Our Children’s Pastor (my son-in-love) has been going through “Who is God?” by looking at His names. I was assigned to teach “God is our Deliverer” (as well as banner). The passage we read was Exodus 17:8-16.

At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.”
Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword…
And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.” He said, “Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the LORD’s throne…

While it is obvious that this lesson was about God’s part in delivering Israel from Amalek’s attack, please indulge me as I am going to focus on Moses, Aaron and Hur.

While Joshua and his men were out there in the throes of battle, Moses also had a job to do. Not on the front lines, but behind the scenes. On the hilltop with a bird’s eye view of the skirmish. This did not make Moses’ job insignificant, as we can clearly see! There was a direct correlation of Moses’ actions and “how went the war.” This can be an encouragement to us to do what God directs whether it is front and centre, somewhere on the sidelines or behind closed doors on our knees in prayer. It’s all important, friends! God uses each of us in our strengths, gifts and even our weakness! The battle truly belongs to the Lord, but He may want us to armour up.

Moses was required to hold his arms high in order for Israel to prevail. That would not be an easy task! We’re not told how long the battle raged, but it was long enough that Moses was getting tired. Aaron and Hur observed the consequences which befell when Moses’ hands went down, so they came to his aid with a rock for Moses to sit on and they each helped to bear the weight of one of Moses’ arms. Isn’t this a beautiful picture? Moses had an important job, but he couldn’t do it alone. He needed two faithful supporters. Doesn’t this remind you of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12?

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Two are better than one. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. Two strengthened by God, Himself. That’s a force to be reckoned with!

As God is wont to do, He brought in a third illustration through the following Sunday’s sermon on Colossians 4:7-18. My love focused on the encouragement and exhortation that Paul communicates at the closing of his letter; but, once again, I have been struck with some supporting characters, Tychicus and Onesimus.

Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Paul is…well…Paul. Revered, respected and resolute–and incarcerated. He is an apostle powerhouse who cannot do what he needs and wants to do. He must rely on trusted partnerships. Enter faithful brothers in the Lord, Tychicus and Onesimus. He is confident they will carry out the task he wishes he could do himself–encourage the hearts of the believers in Colossae.

One of the supporting verses my Love used was this from Hebrews 12:12-13 (and something similar in Isaiah 35:3):

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

This, in context, is about endurance, discipline, peace and grace. However, I think it is a reminder that we are but human, with a propensity for fear, faltering and fickleness. I find it interesting that three areas are addressed: hands, knees and feet.

I don’t know about you, but my hands sometimes tire of “doing good.” Putting others’ best interests above my own. I know it is a beautiful privilege, but sometimes, I’m plain weary and worn out.

Sometimes my posture is less than upright, I feel like I carry a burden that is too heavy to bear, and yet to fall to my knees in prayer seems futile, like I’ve prayed all I can and if I get down one more time I may never get up again.

I’m telling you, straight paths for my feet sounds blessedly wonderful, but more often than I’d care to admit, my feet are stuck (or dug in, in my own stubbornness!) and I can’t move forward.

That’s my sad, hot mess, but I’m so thankful that I don’t stay in that place! God is my Deliverer. He reaches down to ‘pluck me from the mire’ and gives me His grace and strength. He has also tasked us as the body of Christ to help carry each others’ burdens. Having trusted and faithful, prayerful and encouraging partners in life and ministry (we are all in ministry, by the way!) makes our path substantially more bearable!

Friend, are you weary? Troubled? Facing a giant? In need of encouragement? Look no further than God’s Word to be reminded of His love and faithfulness. Know that His people are His hands and feet, and they love you for Jesus’ sake.