01/04/2026
HOLDING UP MOSES’ HANDS
As we begin this first Lord’s Day of the year, we want to start with a powerful reminder from Scripture—one that speaks directly to faith, endurance, simplicity, and the need for one another.
In Exodus 17, Israel is in a battle with Amalek. Moses stands on the hill with the rod of God in his hand. As long as Moses’ hands are raised, Israel prevails. When his hands fall, the enemy gains ground. Eventually, Moses grows weary. His arms become heavy. That’s when Aaron and Hur step in—they place a stone under him to sit on, and they each stand on either side, holding up his hands until the sun goes down. Because of that support, Israel wins the battle.
What a simple act—holding up tired hands—yet the outcome was victory.
That simplicity is easy to miss because we often like to complicate things. Think about how much easier directions are when someone says, “Turn right at the McDonald’s, go three stop signs, and it’s right there.” Simple instructions are easier to understand—and easier to follow. God’s instructions are the same way.
The plan of salvation is simple:
• Hear the Word
• Believe
• Repent
• Confess Christ
• Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins
• Walk faithfully
Yet many try to complicate what God has made plain. Satan thrives on confusion. Scripture reminds us of the simplicity that is in Christ. God never asks us to do what we cannot do.
Consider Naaman in 2 Kings 5. All he was told was to dip seven times in the Jordan River. He nearly walked away angry because it seemed too simple. But when he obeyed—he was cleansed. God’s power was in the obedience, not the complexity.
But there’s another lesson from Moses’ raised hands: we grow weary.
Even holding up empty hands for a long time becomes exhausting. The Christian life can feel that way too. Temptations, pressures, discouragement, and opposition from the world can wear us down. Scripture tells us, “Let us not grow weary while doing good.” Yet weariness is real.
That’s why Aaron and Hur matter so much.
They noticed Moses struggling.
They didn’t criticize him.
They didn’t tell him to “try harder.”
They stepped in and helped.
Christianity was never meant to be lived alone. We need one another. We need encouragement, support, accountability, and refreshment. That’s why assembling together matters. That’s why Sundays and Wednesdays matter. That’s why fellowship matters.
When we drift from our support system, the battle becomes harder. The world will do everything it can to weigh us down—through temptation, distraction, and pressure. But Scripture calls us to bear one another’s burdens, to comfort the fainthearted, and to uphold the weak.
God even sent His servants out two by two—because strength is multiplied when we walk together.
And look at the result:
Because Moses’ hands stayed up…
Because Aaron and Hur stayed beside him…
The enemy was defeated.
Victory came from perseverance, obedience, and mutual support.
As we begin a new year, let’s ask ourselves:
• Are we holding up one another’s hands?
• Are we staying the course?
• Are we helping—or drifting?
• Are we growing weary—or growing stronger together?
Christ is coming again. Judgment is real. Salvation is precious. Let’s not allow the world to distract us, slow us down, or pull us off course.
Stay faithful. Stay encouraged. Stay together. And keep those hands lifted.
