Exodus 17:8-16   The Israelites didn't do very well on their "tests" from the Lord.. they complained and grumbled about food... they complained and grumbled about water.. but the Lord provided abundantly for both of these needs.  

And then... a greater challenge came to them.. the Amalekites. 

War.. in the wilderness where they had just experienced a great miracle of water coming from the Rock... were they ready for such a challenge? 

Moses sent Joshua to choose men for an army.  They went out to fight.. but not on their own.  Moses went up on a hill with the staff of God and as long as his arms were raised, the Israelites prevailed. But.. when his arms grew heavy and he lowered them.. the Israelites lost ground.  So, Aaron and Hur took Moses and sat him on a rock and held up his arms until the sun set and Joshua and the army won the battle. 

It took them working together to accomplish what the Lord desired. Sometimes we forget this important truth.. we are not alone in our battles.  The Lord is our Banner too!  Jehovah-Nissi..  The One True God who exists eternally.. is my banner, my flag, my signal.. He is lifted up as a standard over me. 

In our Roman's bible study we were talking about 6:15.. about no longer being "under sin" but being "under grace".  It made me think about being under an umbrella.. covered.. kept safe.. kept under the banner of God's free gift.. His amazing grace.  Isaiah 25:4 gives us another picture.. "For Thou hast been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat." 

Moses and the army of Israel knew the Lord as their defense that day.  But, also the Lord used Aaron and Hur to come alongside Moses to help him hold up his arms.  They were just as vital to the victory as Joshua and the soldiers with him. I'm reminded that there are times when we are the ones in the battle.. and sometimes we are the ones on the hillside.. holding up the weary.  Sometimes we are the weary ones.. who need to be held up!

Whatever we are facing today.. may we know the One who is our Banner.. the One who is our Shelter in the storm.. our refuge from the fierce heat.. our Rock who never fails. 

Father in heaven, keep us in Your perfect peace for we trust in You.  Keep us faithful.. Keep us steadfast.  Keep us in Your righteousness and cover us with Your grace.  In Jesus' name we ask these things. Amen.