Strength to the Weary

As humans, we all grow tired and weary after we have expended energy doing some form of work, whether physical or mental.  We could also grow tired after doing some spiritual work like prayer.  The most common way in which our body recharges itself is through having proper nutrition and enough rest or sleep.  Elijah the prophet was sleeping under a juniper tree when he was awoken by an angle to eat.  He was provided a bread cake and a jar of water, that sustained him for 40 days and nights until he reached the mountain of God, Horeb (1 Kg 19:5-8).  That must have been some amazing heavenly food.  Talk about weariness, Elijah just concluded a successful campaigne against the prophets of Baal and Asherah (1 Kg 18:19) and became disillusioned just by the mere threat of Jezebel (1 Kg 19:2-3, 9-10).  Certainly, servants of God can become weary and disllusioned when the enemy brings an all-out assault against us. 

What is the antidote to such weariness?  We are told in Is 40:29 that God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak.  It goes on to say, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  (Is 40:30-31).  If young men who are supposed to glory in their strength can grow tired and weary, what more about us who are not so young anymore?  Just as Elijah was strengthened by God through both physical and spiritual food, so likewise we ourselves.  Elijah had to hear the rhema word of God that there were still 7000 people who had not bowed their knees to Baal (1 Kg 19:18).  God honoured Elijah for his faith by taking him home without seeing death.   

Are you weary of work/ministry, carrying a heavy burden or even waiting for an answer?  Then you need to hear God's perspective on things.  Prayerfully read His Word and ask Him for the strength to sustain you each day.  Because our everlasting God does not grow weary or tired, He is able to supply strength to those in need (Is 40:28).  The apostle Paul puts it, "I can do all things through Christ who strengths me."  (Phil 4:13), reminding us that our true strength comes from God Himself.  When God strengthens us, He does so through our inner man.  The wise man says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Pr 17:22 (NIV).  When our inner man is crushed, it would affect our physical frame causing us to be dried up (zapped of energy).  May the good Lord be your strength, song and salvation (Ps 118:14).