
Hope in Times of Loss
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.—EXODUS 17:12 NIV
Moses’ task seemed simple enough. All he had to do was stand on top of a hill and hold up his hands. As long as he did so, the Israelites prevailed in their battle with the Amalekites. But when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites took the lead.
Moses quickly learned that keeping his hands in the air was easier said than done. He needed help—and that’s where his friends Aaron and Hur came in. They put a rock under Moses so he could rest and held up his hands for the remainder of the battle. And as a team, they guaranteed that the Israelites would be victorious.
God certainly could have given Israel a victory without Moses’ hand-lifting. But maybe the Lord chose to accomplish His will in this way so that Moses—and you and I—would appreciate the value of helping hands.
Can you allow others to help you? Can you give them specific prayer requests? Can you accept their meals or their help with laundry? Would you let them run some errands or provide advice?
Invite others to join you in your caregiving journey. They’ll appreciate the opportunity to help—and you’ll enjoy a little rest.
God, I thank You for those You have placed in my path to join me in my journey. Help me to accept their help graciously.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.—Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.—2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
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