Two Are Better Than One

When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites. Exodus 17:12-13 GN

There is a saying, ‘no man is an island’. We all need someone, during our lifetime to lean on, to laugh with, to cry with. We were not meant to journey through life alone. The aspect of needing someone did not start with Moses, but actually started in the garden when God created man. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him - Genesis 2:18 KJV. Though this verse makes reference to Adam and Eve (husband and wife), the principle here is that two are better than one. It may not be a husband or a wife, but that we all need someone.

In Exodus 17, we read of the attack on the Israelites by the Amalekites. Moses as the leader positioned himself to stand in the gap for the people whom God had entrusted in his care. Though Moses was the leader, he could not do everything by himself. Moses needed other men to stand with him, to accomplish the mighty work that he was called to do. So, Moses told Joshua to gather the men for war to fight against the Amalekites. While Joshua and the army fought, Moses stood on the top of the hill with his hands held up holding the stick that God told him to carry. In verse 11, it tells us that, ‘As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning’. As a human being, Moses got tired, he needed help.

Aaron and Hur also accompanied Moses up the mountain. Why were they there? What was their role in all this? Let’s find out. When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites – vs.12-13. Without the help of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses arms, Joshua and the army would not have defeated the Amalekites. This is such a vital lesson for us to learn from. Aaron and Hur did not try to take over Moses role as the leader. They came alongside him and assisted him. The unity, the working together brought about a great victory.

Are you doing life alone? Do you feel beat down or defeated? Ask God to show you who He has assigned to help you. Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively - Ecclesiastes 4:9 GNT.

No Risk…NO Reward

“Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. - Isaiah 42:16 NIV

Sometimes following God involves leaving a secure and lucrative career. Moses left the palace, Elisha left a farm, James and John left their fishing boats. But sometimes, following God means staying where you are and maximizing every opportunity, He gives you to promote His kingdom. When David returned from battle with the spoils, some of his soldiers didn't want to share them with those who had remained behind. But David said, “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike” (1 Sam. 30:24).

There has been several times in my life, God has asked me to move or do something I was unsure of, not trained for or where and how I would live. He asked me to leave my well paying job to open my own business with no prior training, leave my country with my family behind, pack up and move out of one house and get another…too many to list here. Yet, in obedience and retrospect, I saw the hand of God and His Wisdom. Though afraid, I obeyed…and I was truly grateful and blessed. You don’t grow in the know! You have to trust Him in the unknown. God will make and show you the way.

What you must first seek God about is, “Am I called to go or to stay?” It's amazing how many people you meet who don't like what they do for a living. Why do they do it? Because we all have to make a living. But if God is calling you to do something different? It's a risk making a change from what you're currently doing to what you believe God wants you to do. You might not succeed, discover you don't like it to the extent you expected or not make as much money…but the greater risk is staying when God calls you to go. Why?

Regret! Knowing you never attempted to do what God had called you to do. You say, “I have many unanswered questions, and there is much I don't know.” Read today’s scripture again, “Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These things I will do; I will not forsake them.” He promised “you will hear His voice behind you saying, ‘this is the way’ walk in it…whether you turn to the left or the right.” (Isa. 30:21) David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psa. 23:4) Just acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path. (Prov. 3:6)

No More Do Not Disturb Signs

Preach the Word! [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient…]. 2 Tim. 4:2 AMPC

In training Timothy for ministry, Paul says, “Preach the Word! [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient…you as a preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong].”

Most hotels have a sign you can put on your bedroom door that says, “Do Not Disturb.” That sign on your door means you wan to relax, sleep, or not be bothered. Hanging that sign on your hotel room door is acceptable but putting it on your life is not.

Have you ever noticed that God doesn’t always do things on our timetable or in ways that are convenient for us?

One day at the Office, after meeting with a Client, I walked in on the Team trying to console one of our coworkers. Not wanting to get involved, I excused myself, grabbed my things and headed out the door. While waiting for the elevator, I heard the Lord say, “Go pray for her”. I responded, “Now…in the office? Oh no, I have things to do. I need to get out of here. You can more than handle it, Lord, you don’t need me.” As the impression got stronger, I sighed and just agreed to go back and pray with her.

When I got back in the room, she was there alone. I simply asked her if I could pray with her. She looks up at me and said, “I was hoping you would, but you left.” Huh?! I held her hands and encouraged her, then I prayed. As we both said, Amen”, she said, “Thanks, but how did you know what to pray for and what I needed to hear? I feel so much better!” I pointed upwards and simply said, “God knows everything. I’m just a vessel He works through.” I felt such peace as I walked back to the elevator. That was a unplanned, interrupted moments of God. One thing I often say is, “We are always on assignment for God."

Paul told Timothy that when it came to serving the Lord, he was called to do it “whether the time is favorable or not” and “whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” We need to remember that whatever God asks us to do, it’s always worth any inconvenience or difficulty we face in the process. And He will always make a way for us to accomplish His will when we are obedient to Him.

The Bible says, “So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God or be acceptable to Him” (Rom. 8:8 AMPC). Notice, this “life of the flesh” doesn’t please God. This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied, nor will He accept behavior “catering to the appetites and impulses of their (our) carnal nature.” He desires those who are willing and obedient.

So, take down your “Do Not Disturb” sign and commit to walking in obedience, for it’s the pathway of blessing.