Held Up by Faith, Carried by Love

A few years ago, I had an incredible full circle moment happen, the kind of moment where you realize that you’re in the right place at the right time with the right perspective and experience for the moment. We were with some dear friends catching up, and they shared that they were facing an incredibly difficult cancer diagnosis with a loved one. I walked through very similar circumstances with my mom. They were also facing the same treatment plan at the cutting edge of cancer research for the time. Something rose up in me at that moment: I’m here; I can help! I see how weary and focused you are on the battle you’re facing, and I can support you. It was absolutely a redemption moment to feel that God’s plan for me was to be in that moment, to stand alongside my friends and hold them up. There were people who loved and carried me through my trials, and I was able to stand in that place of support for someone else.  

Some battles that we face are loud and obvious. Others are quieter, fought internally, where no one else can see the strain. In either case, faith is not just about believing the right things when the going gets tough, but it’s about how we keep believing when the weight becomes heavier than we ever imagined was possible.

Exodus 17:8–16 tells the story of Israel’s first battle after leaving Egypt, when they are attacked by the Amalekites. Moses gives Joshua instructions to lead the men into battle. He climbs up to the top of a hill with the staff of God in his hands. This is the same staff God used to part the Red Sea and bring water from the rock that served as a visible reminder of God’s power and presence. As long as Moses holds the staff high, Israel prevails. When his arms drop, the Amalekites begin to gain ground. The outcome of the battle is tied not only to what happens in the valley, but to what happens on the hill. It’s a striking image: raised hands, a leader standing between heaven and earth, interceding for his people. But then comes one of the most honest details in all of Scripture: Moses’ hands grew weary. We sometimes imagine that strong faith means endless stamina and that we won’t feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed. But this story gently dismantles that idea. Moses is not weak because his arms get tired, he is weak because he is human.

God does not rebuke Moses for those limits. Instead, He meets him there with love expressed in community when Aaron and Hur notice what is happening and bring a stone for Moses to sit on. They stand on either side of him, holding up his arms until the sun goes down. Together, they do what Moses could not do alone, so Israel wins the battle. This is where faith and love meet revealing that faith and love are not separate virtues, but deeply connected realities. Faith lifts our eyes to God and love holds us up when our strength runs out.
The Apostle Paul captures this beautifully when he writes:

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” —Galatians 5:6

This story also challenges our tendency toward spiritual independence. We live in a culture that prizes self-sufficiency, even in matters of faith. We admire people who “push through,” “stay strong,” and “handle it on their own.” But Scripture tells a different story, God never intended faith to be a solo journey. There are seasons when faith feels steady and strong, when our hands are lifted easily and our prayers flow freely. There are also seasons when faith feels heavy and believing takes effort, when hope feels fragile and simply showing up is an act of courage. In those moments God often sustains us not through sudden miracles, but through people.

We have all been tired, faithful, but weary in the battles of life, like Moses. And many of us have also been Aaron or Hur, standing beside someone else, holding them steady when their strength runs low. The beauty of the Church is that we are all called to both, independent of gifting or personality. Love does not require full understanding, advice, or explanations. All we have to do is show up and respond to need by being present. God who invites us into relationship with Him and with one another. At the end of the battle, Moses builds an altar and names it The Lord Is My Banner. In the ancient world, a banner was a symbol of identity, protection, and allegiance. By giving the altar this name, Moses is declaring that the outcome wasn’t from military strength or human endurance or even Moses’ leadership, but victory came from the Lord.

And yet, God chose to work through faith and love expressed together through raised hands and shared burdens, through trust in God and care for one another. This matters for us today because the battles we face may look different, but the invitation is the same. We are still called to trust God during struggle. And we are still called to love one another in real ways, not from a distance, but up close. Faith without love becomes fragile and isolating. Love without faith loses its anchor.

That’s why I love how much of our activities at Coastal Church revolve around Life Groups. Choosing to be part of a Life Group is often less about adding something to your schedule and more about choosing not to carry life alone. Life Groups aren’t about having it all together or having the right answers. They are simply spaces where faith and love are lived together. Where people notice when your hands are heavy and are willing to help hold them up. In a Life Group, you learn how to be Moses and how to be Aaron or Hur. You learn how to ask for prayer when you’re weary, and how to be there for someone else who is struggling. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to join a Life Group because of past experiences, busy seasons, or fear of being vulnerable, you’re not alone. However, victory often comes through standing together under the banner of the Lord. Let this be your official invitation to take a step of faith toward people and be held by love. You can find and join a Life Group on our website.