HOW OFTEN we have heard that life is a marathon, not a sprint. And yet, how often do we need to hear it again? Every day has trials. “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” (Matt. 6:31) Jesus reminds us pointedly that these problems are common to us all. But, nevertheless, these trials, and trials more severe, take a steady toll from us. Overcoming the first trial of the day starts the process of withdrawals from our reserves of inner strength. In each successive trial, our bankroll of spiritual energy is assailed by the intentional warfare waged against us by the enemy of our souls. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)
As each day progresses, our reserves dwindle, diminished by meeting each assault, and at the end of the day we withdraw to the preparations for rest with a sense of relief, trusting in the Lord’s encouragement, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34) We utter our evening prayers, perhaps learned in early childhood: “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” And we ask that the Lord guard our dreams, refresh our Spirit, and restore the strength of our bodies, so that we are ready for another day. And then another day comes… and another… and another. And the days just keep piling up into weeks and months and years, and there comes a time when our weariness exceeds our strength. It is at times like this when the greatest assault of the enemy comes, and it is at times like this, when we cannot depend upon our own strength, that we must rely upon the sufficiency of faith in Jesus, which is what we should have been doing all along.
Life is an endurance test for everyone, but for Christians, the grace that God has given us through faith in Jesus is the strength we need not just for each day, or for a string of days through a dry season, but for all the days of all the years stretching resolutely into eternity. Paul gives us encouragement, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Paul also reminds us “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6) The author of Hebrews counsels, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:2-3)
And while we draw strength from the hope inherent in these scriptures and many others that undergird the promises of God, it is good to remind ourselves that we have an obligation to fulfill—a debt we owe to the Savior of our souls. That debt is to love one another, even as God loved us, and as Jesus tells us. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Paul follows up Jesus’ teaching, explaining “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” (Rom. 13:8) He furthers this practical advice, “Let us behave decently” (Rom. 13:13a), but then points us to the spiritual solution that makes this possible. “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Rom. 13:14)
The debt of love is one that is most tested when we are not so much tired, but weary. ‘Tired’ is best understood as a condition that affects the body when it has used up too much physical strength for too long a period of time and needs rest. ‘Weariness’ is related to but different from this. It is a condition that does indeed affect the body, causing a need for rest, but it comes not so much from physical exertion, but an overtaxing of soul and spirit. This may involve a form of demonic assault or oppression, but it surely involves relationships in which our love for others is overcome by the effort needed to sustain the relationship. Oftentimes such relationships are with those very close to us. And in these circumstances, it very often involves codependency. Somehow, we have let ourselves be drawn into responsibility for another’s needs that they cannot meet themselves—but then, neither can we, and the costly effort to do so drains our energies. And so, even if there is sleep, there is no rest—not for the soul and spirit, and not for the body.
And here we come to the point where good works, trials, weariness, and faith meet, and must be resolved, or we fail. “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” (Heb. 10:38) This is an arena in the spiritual realm that all Christians must eventually encounter, and one where we must intentionally examine our own responses if we are to overcome. The question is not difficult, or beyond us to grasp—it is the application that is hard. And, our response to whatever the trial is will only be effective from and to the level with which we have prepared ourselves—this includes the stamina to withstand strong trials that seem to exceed our reserves. Paul tells us to “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:7-8)
The exercise of our faith at the point of great trial is best accomplished through the habits formed earlier by spiritual disciplines practiced long and well before the trial comes. And while the greatest of these necessary traits is to trust in the Lord (cf. Pro. 3:5-6), we are wise to prepare ourselves for such trials through those disciplines that are best designed for the way that God has uniquely made us. “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 20-23)
Father, thank you for the strength that comes through our relationship with your son, Jesus. Help us Father, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18) And, Father, remind us that you have equipped us for our trials. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13)
Q. Do I know in advance and guard against the times and circumstances that deplete my energies and weary my soul? (H.A.L.T!)
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