I love words--and "weary" is a good one! It describes exactly how I feel tonight--and maybe you agree 'cause you're worn out too! Well, let's move, with whatever energy we've got left, to the Well and find out what the Lord has waiting for us there. He knows all about being weary--He's "been there/done that" and He cares, more than we will ever know! His love is awesome, both in biblical accounts and in our own lives--and I'm just about to prove that with this "short" devotional....you know Peggie is tired when she writes "short" devotionals...grin...
Weary warriors fight the world!
...and a hardened, sick world it is. Read the newspaper headlines, watch the evening news, and surf the Web--crime, immorality, perversion--wickedness is everywhere. "Nothing new under the sun" though--it's been that way . . .
I love words--and "weary" is a good one! It describes exactly how I feel tonight--and maybe you agree 'cause you're worn out too! Well, let's move, with whatever energy we've got left, to the Well and find out what the Lord has waiting for us there. He knows all about being weary--He's "been there/done that" and He cares, more than we will ever know! His love is awesome, both in biblical accounts and in our own lives--and I'm just about to prove that with this "short" devotional....you know Peggie is tired when she writes "short" devotionals...grin...
Weary warriors fight the world!
...and a hardened, sick world it is. Read the newspaper headlines, watch the evening news, and surf the Web--crime, immorality, perversion--wickedness is everywhere. "Nothing new under the sun" though--it's been that way forever--before the Internet was ever "invented"! You see, Elijah knew what it was to fight sin in his day. He battled the prophets of Baal, he preached against evil and sin...and he got weary. Being chased by a wild woman might weary anyone, but Elijah made it safely to the juniper tree, collapsing in exhaustion, discouragement and defeat. A weary prophet of the Lord...
...but God was watching the weary warrior! He dispatched an angel to the rescue who brought nourishment and refreshment to the worn-out man of God. Elijah's spirit revived and he continued on in the work of the Lord. This story came alive to me this week, when I, a weary warrior, discovered God was watching closely. He knew *I* was the one needing refreshment and rest. To make a long story short, He sent an *angel* of a friend to share her frequent *flier* miles (don't you love the pun!), and an unexpected insurance policy refund to secure the funds, and THIS weary warrior will, with joy, be able to attend the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Orlando, Florida next week! It was an absolute miracle from an awesome Heavenly Father--Who knew JUST what THIS weary warrior needed! We serve an wonderful Lord!
Weary warriors fight the flesh!
...and a painful, deteriorating bit of flesh it can be! Sometimes it's physical--it could be emotional, mental, or spiritual, but the battle is real. Our flesh rebels against pain and the testings and trials of this life. It happened to Paul the Apostle, who most likely very weary in the service of the Lord, had endured robberies, a shipwreck, prison, beatings--you name it, and now a "thorn in the flesh" that would not go away. Three times he asked God to remove it--God did not remove it...
...but God was still watching the weary warrior. He sent His grace--His abundant, never-ending, never-changing grace to be Paul's sufficiency. He met the warrior at his point of need, in His own way--and because God's Word relates it, Paul's experience becomes a blessing to untold millions of God's followers, who cling to the verse, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Do you need that verse today, weary warrior? Claim it...it is God's provision for you, and by His grace, you will survive to tell of His goodness to other weary ones along the way.
Weary warriors fight the devil!
...and a strong, fearful foe he can be. He attacks God's servants--spirit, soul and body--until weary and exhausted, they easily fall as prey to his devilish schemes. But not for long, for weary warriors of the Lord are also willful warriors of the Lord--they rise again, determined to do battle for the King whose they are and whom they serve. Ask Peter whose record in the Bible is one of rising-and-falling under the whims of the devil who "desired to have him that he might sift him as wheat." Did Peter rise again, that foot-in-mouth, ear-in-hand, hot-tempered warrior of the Lord? You better believe it, and know that...
...God was watching! Hear the words of Jesus, "I have prayed for you that your faith fail not." Peter moved on, quickened by the Holy Spirit, to become a great witness and missionary of the Church, strengthened by the effective prayers of His Lord. Those prayers come from the throne of God for YOU, weary warrior. Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, PRAYS for you...He knows the intensity of the warfare, He sees each vicious assault against you, and He prays...that God will give you grace and strength and victory. He will not fail you. He's been in your shoes, He's felt the fury of the enemy, He's endured the fight--and WON, and He knows how you feel this day. He will be with you....if ANYONE'S prayers "work," our Lord's do...and He is praying for YOU right now!
Weary warrior... Rest on in God's care; His provision is just around that last bend in the road!
Reach out for God's grace; He sends it to you in sufficient supply!
Remember God's Word--He prays for you and you have nothing to fear!
...and that's just a word or two--and not very SHORT, after all--from my heart to yours!
P.S. She talks even when she's weary--ask her husband!!
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10)."
"Lord, You helped Elijah, Paul and Peter--and now it's my turn! I'm the weary warrior and I come to you for help. I need Your provision, Your grace, and Your Word. Thank You for watching--thank You for helping me in the time of my need, and thank You for being there--yesterday, today and forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2004 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Mo. Used by permission.
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