GALATIANS 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE WEARY SAINT. Even Jesus experienced fatigue. John records this truth in the account of Jesus coming to the woman of Samaria . . .
“Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour” (John 4:1-6).
The word wearied means to become fatigued, to work hard, labor and a vivid illustration is that of the weariness after a physical beating or hard labor. This isn’t just being a little tired in need of a nap. It is to be exhausted as a result of giving one’s fullest output in work. For Jesus, He walked over 40 miles to get to the well in Samaria. It was a steep journey that likely took three days. This is what love does. It weighs the cost and pays it.
In the passage of the day, we have another example of weariness. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to press on, labor hard, and the word for weary means to be tired both mentally and spiritually. That does not preclude physical fatigue because we know by experience that mental and spiritual effort takes its toll on us physically.
As we pay the cost of following the Lord Jesus, and the temptation to “take a break” or “cut corners” due to fatigue comes upon us, allow me to offer two applications to press on and not give up.
First, remember why we are on this earth. God could have saved us and taken us straight to heaven, but He didn’t. Why? Two reasons . . . the Great Commission and the Great Commandment:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
God gave us the greatest privilege possible as we live the Christian life – sharing the Gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus. And remember, someone loved our souls enough to tell us about Jesus. We exist for a divine mission each and every day of our lives. We also are in this world to encourage other Christians who battle against fatigue due to the tasks before us, the wiles of the devil, the attractions of the world, and the distractions of our flesh. That encouragement comes from love. Love empowers us. Christ’s love strengthens us, and it is His love from us to other Christians that energizes our continuance in the labor . . .
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
The theme of today’s nugget is true of all Christians. We are weary saints, but our work is noble work, the best work, and as we persevere, we look to that great day when we see Jesus and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) Those words make every second of toil worth it!
PRAYER: Father, may I learn to appropriate the strength of Your grace, and not lose zeal as I walk with You.
REFLECTION: Weariness is the price to pay for following Jesus. The race is grueling and the battle intense.