Never Too Old, Never Insignificant

"So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." -Exodus 17.11-13

Moses, while too old for hand to hand combat on the battlefield, is still a warrior and still plays a crucial role in the battle. He is up on a hill overlooking the fight, and as he holds up his hands Israel wins, but when they grow tired and heavy, they fall and Amalek wins. The only chance Israel has is for Moses' arms to stay up, but physically he can't do that. Fortunately, Moses isn't alone. Aaron and Hur are with him, they bring a stone for him to sit on, and then the two of them hold up Moses' arms. Since his arms stay up, Joshua defeats Amalek and the battle is won.

Without Moses, the battle would have been lost, and without Aaron and Hur, Moses would have been lost. There is no role in the battle that is insignificant, and every man is always a warrior. Moses, Aaron, and Hur fought the battle in a way that they were able to, but they still fought. They weren't too old, and their role was essential.

Men, you are never to old to fight. As we've seen, the way that we fight must change over time, but we are made in the image of a warrior God, and we are warriors until the end. We are never too old to engage in battle with evil.

The roles that we play may not seem too important. Age eventually catches up with us, and we can't do the things we used to be able to any more. I think back to the workouts I used to do in high school and college, and part of me can't believe it, and I'm only 27. But just because our time on the front lines comes to an end, it doesn't mean we sink into obscurity.

Maybe we take on the role of mentor and encourager. We find younger men, young warriors, and hold our hands high for them as the fight. Maybe we find a behind the scenes way of supporting others, and we hold up the hands of someone else. And maybe we're still young enough to take the fight right to the enemy, let's make sure our swords are sharp and our shields are ready so that we can be chosen for the task. Each role is significant and essential for victory.

You are never too old. You are never insignificant.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor