I Got Your Back

8:16 AMHeather

I grew up in the church. I went to Wednesday night service, Sunday night service, and even my share of Singspirations. Any old school Baptist will know what I'm talking about. Lunch on the grounds, G.A.'s, and gold star Bible verse memorization charts. I listened to Bible stories on tape to try to fall asleep at night (I wasn't a good sleeper as a kid for several years). I even got a Noah's Ark toy for my 7th birthday, complete with TWO of every plastic animal. That was the birthday that fell on a Sunday, and I'd been up all night the night before with a horrible stomach bug. I actually DIDN'T go to church on that Sunday. Sickness was the only excused absence.

I by no stretch am saying this makes me holier-than-thou. It sorta falls into that category my dad used to say from the pulpit (have I mentioned my dad was a pastor after a 20 year Army career?). He would say being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage made you a car. Here's my point--I grew up hearing a lot of Bible stories. And honestly, being bored a lot by all of it. The "thee's" and "thou's" of it all.

One of the greatest delights of my adult life has been discovering a RELATIONSHIP with Christ rather than being just a rule follower. The thrill of talking to Him in prayer and sitting quietly to hear what He says to me through the thoughts He gives me, songs I hear, or the Word of God. Not to mention, the awe of finding some new nugget in the Bible that I never knew existed. It's truly a treasure chest that can never be completely emptied of it's contents. One of my favorite stories I've gleaned from as an adult is that famous story of the Amalekites defeat.

What? You don't know that one? Let me tell you! In Exodus 17, Moses and the Israelites are going out to fight their enemies, the Amalekites. It says in verse 11 that as long as Moses held up his hands, they were winning. But when he lowered them, they began to lose. I can picture the scene. UP--VICTORY! OH, arm cramp--arms down--DEFEAT! So, here's how Hur and Aaron intervened. They had Moses sit on a stone to rest, then in verse 12 and 13:

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.

One of my Bible study teachers helped unpeel the layers of this story for me. She talked about how sometimes, we are so weary in life, beat up by the attack of the enemy, that we can hardly even lift up our hands in prayer. We know that when we are seeking the Lord, He is guiding us and helping direct us to victory. But, we get tired. I've been there, folks. Too tired--or honestly--to angry with God--to even lift a prayer. THAT is when we need someone to get our back. THAT is when we need someone to come along side us and lift up prayers on our behalf and hold us up. With that understanding, can you appreciate the symbolism and meaning behind this little passage in Exodus? What a word picture.

INTENTIONAL challenge: I am so very blessed by those who have been lifting up my hands lately. You are a mighty army of prayer warriors! Each and every one of you has given me the greatest gift--to storm the Throne Room of heaven on my behalf. To hold up my hands and get my back so that the Lord can accomplish His victory. I can't even thank you appropriately. But, I'll try to return the favor. Who do you know today facing a difficult enemy of sickness or crisis or trial? Who needs you to get their back? Who do you need to call and transparently ask for a little prayer cover for yourself? I love how Exodus 17 ends: Moses built an altar and called it the Lord is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." Whatever you're facing--know that hands can be lifted up to the throne for you--and the LORD fights the war!

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