Outward: Solid As A Rock

By Michael White

Man...if anyone could make Moses look cool...it was Chuck Heston!  I mean look at the picture and tell me he doesn't look hard core!  What an epic moment too!

I love the movie "The Ten Commandments" starring Charlton Heston.  I watched it every year when I was a kid.  I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but for some reason, I loved these kinds of movies.


I used to watch the movie and pretend I was Moses with hands raised...the fate of a nation hanging in the balance of my own strength!


Interestingly enough, now as a husband and father, I actually feel like the fate of my family hangs in the balance of my strength.  While there is truth in the need for me to provide for my family, the idea that their livelihood solely hangs on my strength is a bit arrogant and self-important.


Some time ago, the Lord led me back through Exodus 17 which is the passage about the nation of Israel coming under attack of the Amalekites.  In verses 10-13, we read about the epic moment that Chuck Heston portrays with such intensity!  It's that moment when Moses needed to keep his hands lifted toward the Lord in order for the battle to be won.  As he grew tired, the battle swayed into enemy hands.  So, Aaron and Hur came along side him, held up his arms, and the battle was won!


Yet, as I read the passage again, the Lord drew my attention to a portion of the story never preached.  Verse 12 says, "When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it"  While Aaron and Hur get the glory for helping Moses, the rock did as much for his rest as the other guys.  Nobody ever gives credit to the rock!

Many of us crave to be Moses, the one most responsible, or maybe the most visible.  Others may prefer to be Aaron or Hur, the supporters, but who at least get some screen time.  Yet, I have never met anyone who wants to be the rock, the overlooked, often forgotten contributor to the moment.


Over the past 2 years, God has taught me the importance of merely being the rock.  Being the quiet, unnoticed source of strength and support.  


We often wonder if we have the strength to be the "Moses".  But the real question is, do you have the strength lay to yourself down and just be someone else's rock? No glory...no acknowledgement...nothing in return...just simply a quiet, unassuming source of strength and support!


Thoughts?