But Moses’ hands became heavy . . . And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exodus 17:12).

I grew up on a farm where hard work was the norm. The summer sun drew sweat, and the sweat drew bees. Muscles cramped, and chores seemed endless. When we needed a break, we often leaned against the closest fence. It propped us up while we drank cold water, wiped our faces, and wondered how much longer until quitting time. We didn’t always have a fence for propping, but it surely helped when we did.

Just like those fences, good friends support us during trying times. We can depend on them to always be there — firm, steadfast, secure.

That’s what Aaron and Hur did for Moses. When Moses grew weary, they held up his hands, so “his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” They stayed with Moses, never wavering, until he completed his task of making sure the Israelites were victorious.

Examples like these and other men and women of the Bible prompt me to ask, “Do I allow others to lean on me when they’re weak?” As God’s family, we can ask ourselves, “Do we offer a place for people to catch their breath before they move on? Do we provide a moment of respite when they think their task will never end?” We can resolve to prop one another up when life gets tough.

As Aaron and Hur did for Moses, and as the Holy Spirit does for all who place their faith in Jesus, let’s be there to prop one another up when life gets tough. Paul puts it this way: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

May God help us be the vessels of His strength as we extend our hands in support for one another.