Weary Yet Pursuing


They are three little words, yet they were what was needed to encourage my heart today. The words were from Judges 8:4 which says, "weary yet pursuing". 

  
    The context of those words was written amid battle. Gideon and his army of 300 men had been fighting against the Midianites. God had already delivered 3 leaders into their hands and they were still pursuing more. They needed food to be strengthened, but those around them did not come to their rescue. Instead of giving up, they pursued their enemy, even though they were weary. (There is a lot more to the story, and I encourage you to read it in Judges 8, but God used those three little words to encourage me this day.)

    When I am tired and weary of the battle where do I go? Who do I turn to? How do I cope with the weariness that I feel? What should I pursue instead of giving in to the weariness of my soul? 

    Too often I want to go to people, and while the body of Christ can and should be a good source of refreshment often they fail. They fail because we have gone to them first, we've put our hope in their strength to encourage and lift us up instead of Christ. They fail because they have battles of their own to fight. 
So before going to others, even the body of Christ, we must go to God. We must go to His word. It's here, and here alone that I am refreshed and encouraged.

    I forget this so many times and run to people. But today it was God's words that refreshed this tired and weary heart. Perhaps they too will refresh your weary heart.

 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD , the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not becomewearyor tired. His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to theweary, And to him who lacks might He  increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes." (Jer 31:25)
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Gal 6:9)
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)
    Jesus will be our strength, in Him we will find rest. Run to Him, pursue Him through His words to you.

    So what should we do instead of giving in to weariness, discouragement, depression, anxieties, or any other ways we may try to deal with hard times? What does God's word say I should pursue instead of giving in to my weariness?
 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Rom 14:19) 
..pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) 
...seek peace and pursue it.  (Heb 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11)
  Today may we choose to seek God and the things of God. May we pursue that which will build us up instead of tearing us down. May we fall on our knees before the cross, pray to know God, and pursue Him in a greater, deeper way.

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