"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. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 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." (Exodus 17:10-12)
What an appropriate passage of scripture to read during these times we are in! The Israelites were at war with the Amalekites (without getting too politically involved here, there Amalekites were/are assumed to be an Arabic tribe and are compared with the actions of Hamas). Historically, the Israelites had just celebrated their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and were on their way to their promised land. In modern-day Christendom we have come to acknowledge that some of the greatest attacks we may suffer are often immediately after a great victory in our lives. So it remains to this day.
I love this passage because it describes Moses, Aaron, and Hur atop the mountain overseeing the battle. As long as Moses' hands were raised the Israelites gained the advantage. But when his arms grew weary, the tide of the battle turned. We find Moses' two assistants, Aaron and Hur, aiding him in lifting his hands by placing a rock under each arm and seeing to it that his arms remained in place. They didn't complain or condemn Moses for growing weary, they found a solution.
There seem to be many references to lifting up your pastor in prayer all over social media these days. I couldn't agree more. We look to our pastors to be the consummate strong men, always ready, always prayed up, always with an answer to our questions, always available 24/7, but even pastors need help now and again. Your pastor is human, too. He (or she) has weaknesses, he (or she) gets tired, he (or she) gets discouraged, he (or she) sometimes struggles. Pray for them. But more importantly, HELP them. Don't be one of the anchors that drags them down - be an Aaron or Hur. I love my church and I honor and my pastor deeply. He is not just a student of the Word - He is the Word. He has consumed it much like Isaiah was told to eat it and let it become his very source of life. Pastor Shane spends hours daily studying the Word of God - digging, probing, studying, meditating, and allowing it to change him. Sure I know he's human, too. But I hold him in the highest regard - much as I did his father before him.
Today I challenge you - I exhort you - to lift up your pastor in prayer, certainly. BUT just as importantly, do something physical and tangible to help him. Many pastors I know are bi-vocational because they pastor small churches that can't support them. If that is your pastor, DEFINITELY do something to lift his load. Visitation, phone calls to shut ins, cleaning the church, mowing his yard for him (or her), clean their house for them, if they have children give them a night off so they and their spouse can have a date night. Anything you can do for them is greatly appreciated.
Pray for each other, to be sure. But don't forget your pastor.
Be blessed.
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