Surround Yourself with the Right Friends

“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 17:11-13 NIV

After getting a DNF at a 100 mile run I had trained really hard for a few weeks ago, I prayed. “Lord what would you have me do with this loss? I don’t want to waste the training.” And that’s when I sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to complete what I had left unfinished—and to do it over the Easter weekend. After all, that’s the time of redemption right? The plan for victory was to run at least half of the miles solo and then have my husband pace me to the end. But, as the Bible clearly tells us… we can make our plans but the Lord is ultimately in charge. So when our plans were changed due to some sudden knee and Achilles pain my sweet Larry started to experience after just a few miles, I was convinced that another Did Not Finish was my fate. That was until a few good friends started showing up. At just the right time, when I needed someone to run alongside me and lift me up, God used fellow believers to give me strength and help me overcome the challenges I faced along the 100 mile route so I could finish the race and give God the glory. The best part was this though… we all celebrated together with a Sunrise Service, thanking Jesus for providing the ultimate redemption that provided us forgiveness from our sin and gave us eternal life. 

And you know, one of the greatest examples of the power of godly friendships for us to follow is that of Aaron, Moses, and Hur. As Joshua fought the Amelakites, Moses interceded by holding up his hands. And as long as he did this, “the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” Thankfully though, “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.” And because of this “Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Do you just love that or what?

So choose your friends wisely my friend. They literally have the power to either lift you up or bring you down. Good and godly friends will help you overcome any challenge. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us fellow believers to help us overcome the battles we will face in life. Help us to see the value in taking the time to grow these friendships Lord, so that we will be ready at any time to step in and help because of the firm foundation of friendship that has already been formed. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!