When God Shows Up: Real Stories of FaithSample

Ben*

“...So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 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. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Exodus 17:10-13, NLT

Ben was cut off from his family. He was turning 18 alone. He says, “I felt misunderstood by men, even my father. I was lonely, but because of COVID, I was especially isolated and became depressed.” At this time in his life, Ben was matched with a team of mentors.

His mentors, Reid and Nick, talk about how simple their interactions seemed to be. They met up for dinner and texted or called Ben to check on him. They offered seemingly simple advice about personal finances or job hunting. They laughed over inside jokes and celebrated milestones in each other’s lives. None of this, as Reid says, “seemed like rocket science.”

But Ben says, “My mentors helped me come out of that state of depression. They took time to spend with me and get to know me. Because of them, my point of view is more positive and I am more comfortable opening up to people.” Their relationship restored Ben’s self-image and renewed his perspective on relationships, just as he was growing into the new territory of independent adulthood.

Similarly, what Aaron and Hur did for Moses wasn’t “rocket science.” It was God who miraculously turned the tides of the battle and protected the Israelites. But Aaron and Hur obeyed God by supporting Moses, and that made all the difference.

Meditate on the actions of Moses, Aaron, and Hur in this story. Who has come alongside you to help “hold up your arms?" How are you obeying God by supporting others? Give God thanks for these people and opportunities to serve.

*Name changed to protect privacy