Battles, Trust, and Holding Up

Once in a corporate setting, I participated in an activity called a trust fall. In this team building exercise, participants take turns intentionally falling while relying on others to catch and hold them up. If you were a team member selected to fall, you would fold your arms against your chest, then either tilt backwards into someone’s waiting arms, or lean in various directions while standing in the center of a tight circle of people. 

Recently, the trust fall exercise came to mind after I read a story about Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land. At a place called Rephidim, right before they reached Mt. Sinai and received God’s Ten Commandments, the Israelites faced an unexpected battle with the Amalekites.

The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe who viciously attacked settlements, stole possessions, and killed for pleasure. The Israelites, as previous slaves and now weary travelers, were hardly in a position to be called warriors. This was the first battle they had faced and they were probably terrified. But, through teamwork and their trust in God, the Israelites assembled forces, fought, and miraculously won.

Here’s how the story goes: 

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. Exodus 17:8-13 NLT

A Team of Trust

Can you feel the pressure and suspense in that story? I do. Joshua and his makeshift army are bravely battling hard in the valley with whatever weapons they could round up. Meanwhile, Moses is trying to steadily hold the staff representing God’s presence and sovereignty high in his hands. Keeping his arms held up as the battle raged on must have been exhausting, right? I haven’t held a staff over an intense battle, but I have spent hours hanging wallpaper and holding up signs for car wash fundraisers. The ache gets hard to take.

Did Moses ask Aaron and Hur to help him hold the staff? Or, did he give them a look like, “Hey guys, I’m dying over here”? Since Aaron was Moses’ older brother, did he feel an even greater obligation to look after Moses? We don’t get those details in the story. But, we do learn Aaron and Hur made it their mission to be present with Moses and to help him however they could. 

These characters in the story had different responsibilities to fulfill, but their battle cry–their mission for victory–was the same. Joshua, Moses, Aaron, and Hur formed a team unified for a cause. Most likely, they felt fearful given their circumstances. But, they were willing to trust fall. The team’s actions showed they believed in each other and in God.

Doing Our Part

If the team in the story tried a trust fall activity, I bet they would have no problems. Joshua would fall back into Moses’ arms, then Moses would fall back into the waiting arms of Aaron and Hur. All the while, God’s arms would be wrapped around the entire scene providing the team with comfort, guidance, and protection.

If you were a person in the story right now, who would you be? Do you feel like a Joshua–singled out to fight a unforeseen battle against a fierce and unrelenting enemy? Are you feeling like a Moses–weary, but determined to spiritually lead and pray for someone else? Or, can you relate to Aaron and Hur–staying alert, watching for signs of trouble, and keeping vigil with someone? You might even feel, as I do sometimes, that you are trying to handle all of these roles simultaneously.  

When I think about what’s happening between Joshua, Moses, Aaron, Hur, and God, it helps me to evaluate the battles in my own life and the relationships at work within them.

Some Questions to Ask:

1. In my battles, who do I identify with right now- Joshua or Moses or Aaron and Hur?
2. If I feel like a Joshua or a Moses, are there trusted people in place behind me who will catch me if I fall? If not, then where can I find the support I need? Can I be brave and ask for help? How will I care for those relationships in return?
3. When I am in the role of Aaron and Hur, how am I remembering to stay watchful and present in the lives of those around me? Where should I assist more?
4. Where do I notice God’s goodness around me in this battle? Would sharing what I am learning benefit my “team” or others?
5. How might this battle be working to reaffirm my trust in God?

Of course, difficult questions like these cannot be answered easily. It takes time to think about them and evaluate any actions we take. Building relationships we can trust and contribute to will always be a hard work in process, but in doing so, we demonstrate our love for God and for others. Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

Trusting God’s Part

Usually, we can name the people who show up in our lives and catch us when we fall. Our physical eyes can see them, and we may even have tangible results of their help. But, understanding how God’s arms are there for us in hardship is more difficult because we need to use our spiritual eyes.

Through the battles we face, we gradually learn to see his wisdom, power, grace, and love. He demonstrates, in the midst of our circumstances, that his promises are trustworthy. When we work at being mindful of God, we can see his goodness through people and through things like changing conditions, nature, and prayer. Gradually, the Holy Spirit changes us and helps our faith grow sure, until we feel God’s arms locked securely around us more often in our battles.

Trust Falling

Like the Israelites battling the Amalekites in their journey to the Promised Land, we all face challenges and foes. Life happens, and we find ourselves in difficult roles, often without warning or preparation.

But, God constantly assures us through this Bible story and many others that he helps us fight all our battles, even our very last one. His strength works within us and through those who fight hard alongside us.

Whatever our role may be in a battle, the rest of the team depends on us. As many parts of the one body of Christ, we, as believers, are chosen by God to be used in different ways. Following his direction for our place in a battle, we can strive to fight the good fight of faith which brings glory to his name.

When we contribute our called upon part, others notice the loving nature of God’s heart.

Press on in faith my friends. ~Jamie

God, Catch Me–a poem

Do you feel like Joshua?
Are you facing a battle you
feel unprepared to fight?
Holding up simple weapons
and a weary body,
your courage displays God’s might.

Do you feel like Moses?
Are you praying powerfully
while your heart breaks in two?
Holding up your tired arms
with a valiant spirit,  
your faith in God shines through. 

Do you feel like Aaron or Hur?
Are you standing beside to calm and to do?
Holding up someone’s hands that
are weak and offering a seat,
your actions model God’s love as true. 

Do you feel like Joshua, Moses, Aaron or Hur? 
Are you immersed in an
unexpected battle God calls you to? 
Hold your hands up high
with courage, faith, and love.  
God’s Word is true.
His goodness stands ready…
to softly catch you. 

~by Jamie Trunnel ©2019, ascripturedlife.com

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT

This poem is included in my book A Soul’s Anchor, available on Amazon.

When You Feel Like Joshua: 5 Bible Verses about Courage

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
• For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
• So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
• And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
• Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV

When You Feel Like Moses: 5 Bible Verses about Keeping the Faith

• Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
• One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1 NLT
• Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
• You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
• But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV

When You Feel Like Aaron and Hur: 5 Bible Verses about Loving Others

• A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV
• Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV
• For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matthew 18:20 NLT
• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
• Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV

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Related Posts:

• Be Still and Know that I am God
• A Race of Faith: soaring toward what God has in store
• Praying God Protects Who We Love
• The Serenity Prayer: a Road Map for Peace
• While We Wait on God
• Encourage and Build Each Other Up

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