Mutually Beneficial Relationships

I was visiting with a couple of pastors recently and one mentioned how he started a series on Job. The other quickly chimed in that they had preached on Job the same Sunday as well. We began to discuss the book of Job and trials we had gone through ourselves. When we started talking about Job’s friends who showed up, we talked about the importance of having the right people around you as you go through hard times. They can often make you or break you. Even well intentioned people can give you bad advice in your most vulnerable state. However, those who will lift you up, give you godly advice and help carry you through those times are invaluable.

In Exodus 17, the Israelites were in the wilderness. They were on their journey they were attacked. Moses told the warriors that he would stand over the battle and hold up the staff God had used so many times during the plagues of Egypt. When he held up the staff, they began to win. When his arms grew tired and fall, they began to lose. Aaron and Hur went to the rescue of Moses and the nation. They held up Moses’ arms until the battle was won. Moses built an altar there in honor of the victory. We not only remember their victory, but also the men who stood with Moses to help make it possible.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (NLT). Who are the people around you now? Are they like Aaron and Hur or like Job’s friends? We all need to be surrounded by the right people before hard times hit. The wrong ones will either leave you to fall alone or will not help you the way you need to be helped. The right ones will hold you up until you have come through victoriously. Likewise, if you have a friend who is under attack, go to them and ask God to help you support them until victory is won. That way your friendship can be mutually beneficial.

Photo by Michiel Annaert on Unsplash