Not My Job

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. Exodus 17:10-13 (NLT)

As I read this story, I was wondering about what Joshua was thinking during this battle. Could he see Moses? Did he know that when Moses dropped his hands, he would start losing? Was he constantly looking over his shoulder checking out the situation? Maybe he'd see the arms sag and yell something like "Hands up! Hands up!" Was he trying to control something that was out of his reach? Somehow I doubt it.

When Joshua was on the battle field, I am sure he was focused on the battle. He was fighting with a bunch of unexperienced men who needed a leader that was engaged in what they were doing right then and there. That had to be Joshua's focus.

Moses was also doing what he what he was supposed to be doing at that moment. He was interceding. He was standing in the gap for Joshua and the Israelites. It's a good thing Joshua and Moses knew their roles and what they were supposed to be doing. And in the process they trusted God to do what he was supposed to be doing.

What about you? When God gives you a job, do you look around to see what everyone else is doing or do you look to God and trust that he is going to work it all out. Do you keep your focus on today's duties or are you trying to supervise God's plan for tomorrow?  I bet if Joshua kept looking back at Moses or if Moses kept trying to get into the fight with Joshua, things would not turned out as perfectly as they did.