How Are You Holding Up?

Life on the Pasture

Rev. Dr. Michael Ziegler, speaker of the Lutheran Hour radio broadcast, has been putting out a weekly video offering encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week’s message made mention of the account recorded in Exodus 17 of the Israelites fighting the Amalekites. We read, “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." (Exodus 17:11–12, NIV)

Years ago when Beautiful Savior was in the process of starting our school, a few of us went to tour an area congregation to learn from their experiences. The man who led us through their building shared a story about someone in their congregation who was opposed to the school project and voted against it yet showed up at every work day during the construction process. When asked why, the man simply replied, "I don't think this is a good idea, but our congregation voted to do this and I'm a part of this congregation. I will do what I can to help." What a great example of "holding up the prophet's hands," so to speak.

As has become abundantly clear over the past several weeks, there are a variety of opinions about the best way to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have openly and passionately expressed their opinions, while others have kept them more to themselves. But perhaps what is not always so clear is what the real battle is and who is actually fighting. From the perspective of one who follows Jesus, the basic pattern laid out in the Scriptures is that God does something great, Satan tries to mess it up, but those who are in Christ Jesus win. 

Viruses of various strengths, along with countless other tragic events, come and go, terribly affecting people throughout history. We use the wisdom God has blessed us with to the best of our abilities to work for solutions and cures. Yet a perfect world continues to escape us. In some ways, the human plight seems to worsen as we are given more information about new things about which to be worried and concerned. And one of the coping mechanisms we are tempted to use is to blame some for not doing enough or lash out at others for being hyper-sensitive when, in fact, none of us is perfect. 

There is only One who can claim that: our Lord Jesus. And when it came to the greatest battle of human history fought on Good Friday, nails were what held up His hands. And He won. As do all who put their trust in Him. 

Which brings us back to our role as His people in holding up others even wen we don't agree. We do that when what we desire and pray for more than anything else is that we and others are drawn closer to our Lord Jesus and His love. And when that's what we wish to do, Satan loses the battle he's waging to destroy unity and those following Christ Jesus win.

If you cannot be a watchman, Standing high on Zion’s wall, Pointing out the path to heaven, Off’ring life and peace to all, With your prayers and with your bounties You can do what God commands; You can be like faithful Aaron, Holding up the prophet’s hands.

Lutheran Service Book #826, v. 3 Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying

– Pastor Schmidt