February 3: “Who’s lifting up your hands?”

Exodus 17:8-19:15

Matthew 22:34-23:12

Psalm 27:7-14

Proverbs 6:27-35

 

11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.  12 But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:11-12  

 

An American phone company once held the slogan: "Reach out and touch someone." But that's kind of a lie, isn't it? Technology enables us to connect like never before—but only at a distance. Digital communications only magnify the desires that war within every human heart: a desire for connection, but also the idol of individualism.

 

A German writer once compared the human race to a group of porcupines. We huddle together for warmth and safety, but the closeness means we get pricked on one another quills. So we retreat to the comfort that comes from isolation, seeking the kinds of relationships we can manage from a distance. And we are all porcupines, deep down.

 

Here, in the story of Exodus, Israel's encampment faced a series of major challenges, including a surprise invasion by a group of Amalekites. Earlier, God had "stood" on a rock to provide water (17:6). Now, Moses stands on a rock as the battle ensues. It's possible he was raising his hands to encourage the troops, but it's more likely that Moses was (once again) seeking help from the Lord. But once fatigue set in, Moses needed help from Aaron and Hur to life his arms.

 

Christ-follower, who's lifting up your hands? No one gets through life alone. Few things are as caustic as the idol of individualism. And like any idol, it is shattered at the foot of the cross. Why? Because the cross sets me free from the slavish devotion to self. The cross enables me to lift my gaze from my own reflection and behold the glory of Christ.

 

Because of this, the gospel promotes of community of love and service. Rather than seek our own glory, we glorify Christ by supporting one another. Look around you. Is someone lifting your arms today? Is there someone nearby whose arms are growing weak? Fear thrives in isolation, but joy is multiplied when shared.