Friday rolls around and for some it is the end of the work week, the time to step away from responsibilities for a couple of days. Then, there are weeks that are endless, right? This seems to be one of them for me. The horror of the Israel-Gaza war keeps unfolding greater suffering. The ongoing war in Ukraine, largely eclipsed by the ‘new’ news remains an awful wound in the world. Closer to home, our government’s dysfunction makes me both furious and fatigued. Governed by ‘leaders’ who act like children, who demonstrate unbelievable immaturity, selfishness, and stupidity leaves me exhausted. Then, too, many of us are weighed by our own concerns – kids, finances, health, marriage, spiritual challenges – that drain the life from us.
Are you tired? I am and I’ll readily admit it. It is not the kind of fatigue that we experience after hard work when we crave a hot shower and the opportunity to stretch out on the couch. That ‘tired’ can be relieved by a good night’s sleep. The ‘tired’ that many of us are experiencing is like a bleeding wound that will not heal, the frustration and exhaustion felt after we put in our best effort and come up with meager results. Then, there is an weariness that overwhelms us when we are beat down – emotionally, spiritually, more than physically. And, we wonder if we can get back up?
When that kind of exhaustion overtakes us, we are in a dangerous place. We are more likely to make decisions that we will come to regret. We become more susceptible to temptation. The leash on our temper frays. Short term gratification gains greater appeal because we lose sight of tomorrow.
God reminds us that in that season He is will be our Sustainer. "O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:27-31, NLT)
In the 73rd Psalm, we find a prayer of a man who was exhausted, frustrated, and on the edge of losing faith all together. Asaph wrote his song inviting us to sing along. "But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone." (Psalm 73:2, NLT) "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain." (Psalm 73:13-14, NLT) His soul fatigue skewed his perception. He had lost touch with reality replacing it with a clouded view of the world in which he lived. Even worse, he was in danger of turning on the very One who could heal him.
In your
weariness are you close to edge? It is time to put a lid on it! Take charge of
your emotions and stop reacting to every jolt.
That same Psalm tells of a choice the weary one made. "When I
tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me ‘TILL I entered the
sanctuary of God." (Psalm 73:16-17, NIV) Humbly, we come and sit before the Lord, not
to whine, not to gripe, not to rage nor to scream. There, in His Presence, we wait worshipfully. And, the Spirit finds us!
When the Spirit enveloped Asaph in rest and renewal, his vision cleared and this is what he saw. "Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant …” But, his focus was not on regret. He goes on with assurance. “Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." (Psalm 73:21-28, NLT) The questions about why may remain this side of Eternity, but the assurance found in faith restores the weary!
Weary this Friday?
Soul weary, exhausted, broken by disappointment in yourself or others or
even with God Himself? Create a ‘sanctuary’
moment – a place where you put a lid on the noise, the news, the nonsense of
others and look up. There is a rest for the people of God. Faith is choice fed by worship and Word. Will
you let Him clear your vision and renew your mind?
Here’s the word from the Word. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT)
TGIF!
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God, my Father.
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be!
Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars
In their courses above;
Join with all nature
In manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness,
Mercy and love!
Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth;
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide.
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning,
New mercies I see.
All I have needed,
Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me!
Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan
© Words: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company
Music: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company
CCLI License # 810055
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