Daily Devotional | Leaders Can’t Do It Alone

In the most despicable and wicked manner, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites from the rear, focusing on attacking the women, children, and elderly (Deut. 25:17–18). The Israelites had never experienced a battle before. Yahweh fought the Egyptians for them. But in today’s text, the Lord was teaching the Israelites to rely on the Lord and take matters into their own hands.

Moses tasked Joshua with recruiting men, and he then climbed to the top of the hill with his brother Aaron and his brother-in-law Hur. At the top of the hill, they could clearly see the battle, they were visible to their soldiers, but most importantly, they could pray (v. 10). The phrase, “as long as Moses held up his hands,” describes the Israelites’ posture of prayer (v. 11). If he kept praying, the Israelites kept winning. However, while a battle raged in the valley, a war also raged within Moses. Having a strong prayer life does not come naturally. Moses became physically weak after holding up his hands for hours, but Aaron and Hur supported him physically, emotionally, and spiritually (v. 12).

In this passage, we see four unlikely leaders. Joshua had never fought in a battle, but he recruited men and led them into action (vv. 9–10). Aaron and Hur were true servant-leaders (v. 12). Their support of Moses resembles that of the athlete who carries their injured teammate across the finish line. And Moses led by lifting his hands and prayers to the Lord for victory over the Amalekites and saving his people.

It is an excellent reminder that many years later, another unlikely Leader would climb to a hill for all to see, stretch out His hands, physically suffer for all humanity, cry out to the Father, and win the victory over sin and Satan.

>> No matter where or how you lead, you haven’t gotten to it alone. There have been others who helped you on your journey. Today, pray for them and remind them that they played an important role in your life.

Pray with Us

Father, we ask You to bless and support those who have supported us. We praise You for working through fellow human beings to strengthen and encourage us. Please use us to help people around us in the same way.

BY Dr. Chris Rappazini

Dr. Chris Rappazini is Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute. He is the former President of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and previously served as an Associate Minister of Preaching and Teaching in Spokane, Washington. Chris and his wife, Ashley, and their children reside in Northwest Indiana.