Red Bull, Monster, Sting, Rockstar, and Bacchus — these are just popular brand names of energy drinks people lean upon for the extra energy they need when their physical and mental strength starts to dwindle. Usually loaded with caffeine and sugar, the extra jolt these beverages give promises the extra push an otherwise mentally and physically tired person needs to make it through the day (or night).
In our day to day lives, it is inevitable that we get tired. And so, we sleep when we need to, we eat when we need to. But what if our minds are tired? What if it is our hearts that are too weary? To where do we get the power to truck on with our day, with our lives?
After defeating 400 false prophets, the prophet Elijah faced a threat that made him lose his strength and hope. He prayed for His death. But the Lord ministered to Him through an angel, who fed him with cake, and allowed him to rest. Who fed him again, and again allowed Him to rest.
“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:5-8
What happened to Elijah just goes to show that the Lord recognizes our physical limits and that He knows that we need physical strength to keep ourselves going.
Another Old Testament character who felt weary was King David. He went home with his men only to find that their city was burning, and that all their wives and children had been taken captive by their enemies. But instead of being downtrodden and staying depressed, He humbled himself before the Lord and sought Him for strength.
“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6
As followers of Jesus, we ought to take a cue from King David when we face challenges. Whether these difficulties are because of inevitable life problems, or due to the natural consequences of our sins, the best thing to do is to seek the Lord, admit our sinfulness, ask for His forgiveness, and repent.
And as we make peace with God and step away from our sinful lifestyle, we call to mind the Lord’s promises to help us when difficulties arise. We remember His past faithfulness to us, and the wonderful things He has done for us in the past despite our failures.. We think of His great character — that He is merciful, gracious, just and unchanging. That He has good plans for our welfare, and that He relents when we repent.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
When we feel that we cannot move forward anymore due to physical, emotional, mental, or financial difficulties, we should know where to find the willpower to continue pushing on. As followers of Jesus, we are being invited to come to Him, to unload our burdens to Him, and trust that He will be with us as we go through our dark valleys.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When we rest in God, and gather strength from the love and mercy that He provides, we get to grow in our faith, move forward, and shine His light to others who may be weary too.
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 2:1-3
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Samuel 30:1-20 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Where do you get the strength to move on when you are too tired or too weary?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, give me the confidence to just seek you when I feel too empty to move on. Protect me from false and temporary sources of strength that could just worsen my situation for the long term. Give me the grace to realize that it is only through you that I can be truly strengthened. Amen.
