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Weary — Part 2

“Looking unto Jesus … For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3).

Are you weary? Maybe not physically, but spiritually? The remedy (at least in part), is in the first three verses of Hebrews 12. Sometimes we are weary because of things we are allowing in our lives that hinder us from running the Christian race. Sometimes it is because we are not focused on the Lord Jesus, who has lived here in this world, completed the path of faith in perfection, and is now seated “at the right hand of the throne of God” (verse 2). To “consider Him” is not just a casual glance now and then. It is to have real focus on Christ as our object. It is to see “no man, save Jesus only” (Matthew 17:8).

When we have Christ as our object, then we can follow the exhortation that we have later in Hebrews 12, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (verse 12). So, instead of giving up and saying that life is too hard, let’s refocus on the true object for faith … Christ! Then, and only then, can we “run with patience the race that is set before us” (verse 1).

Weary — Part 1

“My soul is weary of my life” (Job 10:1).

Do you ever feel like Job felt when he said these words? Job was going through some real trials. As far as he could discern there was no point in living any longer. He was weary of it all. However, when the story of God’s dealings with Job was over, there was far more blessing and benefit for him than if those trials had never happened. The fact of the matter is that “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

We too go through trials and tests in God’s dealings with us. There is training and discipline, as well as the work of the enemy, Satan. There is physical and mental weariness as we try to survive in the society in which we find ourselves. And yet we can be happy, fruitful Christians through it all. When Job’s life is summed up in the New Testament we read, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11). Whatever God allows in our lives, He provides the strength and grace and everything that is needed to live for Him. We can all say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Dear Young Christian:

This week we are going to have a series on the subject of “weariness.” As you start out today you may be feeling physically weary. Perhaps you didn’t get enough rest over the weekend. Maybe you stayed out late with your friends and didn’t get enough sleep, or you were busy studying, or involved in some outreach and work for the Lord. Jesus Himself knew what it was to experience physical weariness. “Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well” (John 4:6). There was another time when we read, “And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow” (Mark 4:38).

However, the weariness we are going to consider is not physical tiredness but spiritual fatigue. The enemy, Satan, is making great efforts to wear down those who are seeking to follow the Lord and be a testimony in this morally dark and sinful world. If we are not careful, we can get spiritually weary, but we have one who says, “I have satiated [fully satisfied] the weary soul” (Jeremiah 31:25).

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

Worship

“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).

“And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him” (Matthew 28:17).

“And they worshipped Him” (Luke 24:52).

This is what the Son of God desires from His own …WORSHIP! Worship comes from a heart overflowing with an appreciation of the person and work of Christ. On several occasions we read of the disciples worshipping the Lord as they were with Him and occupied with His glories and attributes. There also were many others during the life of the Lord on earth who came and worshipped as well.

On this first day of the week, let’s ask ourselves this question: “How much does the person and work of Christ mean to us? Is there true worship in our hearts? As we meet with other believers will there be a response that is real and genuine?”

That is what will delight His heart. “So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11).

The First Time

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter … . Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (Acts 17:32, 34).

People get saved at all ages. I was saved as a young boy. I have known those who have been saved in their teens. I met a young woman who was recently saved in a gospel meeting in her early twenties. I have known those who were middle-aged, and a few who were older as well, and even some who were saved at the end of their lives or on their death beds.

But the question remains, “When is the best time to be saved?” Usually the answer given is “NOW!” While this is certainly correct, I heard an even better answer from a young person who was asked this question as she left an evangelical service one evening. Her answer was, “The best time to be saved is the first time you hear the gospel.”

How many times have you heard the gospel? What is your response? Are you saved? Don’t be like those who heard the truth from the Apostle Paul and mocked or neglected. Be like those that believed!

One to Another

Here are some things that should characterize us as Christians in our relationships “one to another.”

“They that feared the Lord spake often one to another” (Malachi 3:16).

“Have love one to another” (John 13:35).

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (Ephesians 4:32).

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another” (James 5:16).

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9).

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another” (1 Peter 4:10).

“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5).

Here is something that should never characterize us as Christians in our relationships “one to another.”

“Lie not one to another” (Colossians 3:9).

Remember, our interactions “one to another” have more effect either for good or bad than we realize.

Young People of Scripture
Samuel

“Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod … . And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men … . And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel … knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:18, 26; 3:19-20).

Samuel is an outstanding example of a man of faith and courage in the Old Testament. However, it is important to keep in mind that it began when he was a young boy. In 1 Samuel chapter 2 we read of the call of the Lord and Samuel’s open ear and obedient attitude. He also had a willingness to serve in the temple under the direction of Eli the priest. As a result, he was raised up to be a great prophet and judge and a tremendous blessing to God’s people all through his life.

If we are going to be used of the Lord, it starts with the little things. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). It also starts with a willingness to listen to and obey God’s Word. We don’t have to wait until we are older to “minister before the Lord.” Let’s learn to serve Him in the days of our youth.

Protection — Part 2

“In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness. Bow down Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong Rock, for an house of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).

As we said yesterday, David at this point in his life was in a very vulnerable position. His heart was broken. His enemies were chasing him, and his friends had let him down. But he was not defenseless. He knew that God is the best possible source for safety, and that a right relationship with Him is the best defense strategy. That is where he found his security and protection.

Just as a child finds confidence in calling out for his older and stronger brother when threatened by a bully, David called on the name of the Lord. Because he was living in fellowship with Him, he hid himself in the security of the One who had helped him many times before, and who loved him with an unfailing love.

Are we as quick to seek that same security? God can be trusted! He was a sure hiding place for David, and He is also the One we should cling to for our protection. Remember, safety is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God.

Protection — Part 1

“For Thou art my Rock and my Fortress” (Psalm 31:3).

Protection comes in many forms. A rabbit dives for his hole, a deer runs for the dense cover of the forest, a toddler clings to his father’s pant leg or hides behind his mother’s skirt, and a soldier digs in under cover of supportive artillery. According to Proverbs 30:26, “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” But what does a Christian do? And where does he hide when surrounded by danger?

David knew where to turn. When he wrote Psalm 31 things were not going very well for him. When you read the psalm, you realize that he was tired, weak, and hurting. His mind was distressed and his thoughts in a turmoil. He says, “I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief … For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed … . I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel” (verse 9-10, 12). Yet he could still say, “But I trusted in Thee, O Lord” (verse 14). This is where we too find true protection.

Dear Young Christian:

It is a cold, dull, rainy day here in southern France, and I would love to go back to bed with a warm comforter and just relax after a busy weekend of Bible conference and visiting. But there are brothers and sisters in Christ that are going to arrive at any moment, and a day of being together for some activities and meals is planned. So when I finish writing this calendar page I need to get on with life and make sure our guests are taken care of, and, most of all, that there is a time of encouragement and sharing of the precious things of Christ. The verse that is before me is “But encouraging one another” (Hebrew 10:25, J.N.D. Translation).

Yes, we all need encouragement in these difficult times when there is so much to discourage. And we can, and should, all be encouragers. It is so easy to talk about those things that do not edify and encourage, but how good to be like David, who, “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6). Then and only then can we encourage others. See how much of an encourager you can be this week.

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland