Battle Fatigue (and other devotionals)

Battle Fatigue 

Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.2 Samuel 21:15

When we’re exhausted we are excellent candidates for encouragement. We cannot continue alone in our exhaustion. Our body and soul cry out for care. If we ignore exhaustion’s warning signals, we will likely fail. Our health may fail; our judgment may fail; our faculties may fail; our faith may fail. Exhaustion increases our probability for failure. It is imperative that in our exhaustion, we recognize, and receive help from others. We have to trust that they will keep our best interests in mind. We are unwise if we think we can do everything. This overwhelmed state compromises the quality of our work. Things that would otherwise be taken care of slip through the cracks. It is in our exhaustion that excellence exits our work and life.

           

Moreover, our character becomes fragile under the weight of exhaustion’s pressure. As with a clove of garlic in a press, the sweet juices of God’s grace are squeezed out of us and we are left dry. Our patience becomes thin, and we lash out at undeserving souls. What would never bother us during times of rest soon become stressful, and an exhibit in embarrassment. Meaningless arguments begin to fill our minds, so there is no room left for pleasant thoughts. Exhaustion pushes us to the edge of unwise engagements, as we listen to sympathetic words from flirtatious lips. Exhaustion urges us to engage with any understanding warm body. There is a propensity to relax one’s conservative convictions, so make sure you confide in your spouse, not someone else’s. Intimacy is meant for marriage, so leverage exhaustion for a deeper relationship with your husband or wife.

           

Exhaustion is also God’s way of getting your attention. You cannot continue to run hard in life and leave out the Lord. He wants much more than surface acknowledgement on Sunday. Exhaustion is meant to engage you with the eternal. You are reminded, in your weakened state, that He is your rock. He is your fortress, your deliverer, your shield, your stronghold, and your salvation. Because God is your refuge, you can rest in Him. You do not have to strive in your own strength. You can be infused with the Almighty’s eternal energy and everlasting love. It is in your exhaustion that your heavenly Father wants to love you wholeheartedly and unconditionally.

           

So, let go and let Him. Let go of your unrealistic expectations that wear you down. Let go of your way of doing things. Let go of your timetable. Let go of the relationship that is wearing you out. Engage in activities and relationships that energize you. Yes, you need to be available, but rest in Him. Rest in Him, and leave the rest to Him.

             

Your gracious heavenly Father is the answer to your battle fatigue. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you up by faith, and allow God’s grace to flush out your fears. The Bible says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in my exhaustion make me strong in You.

Application: What area of my life needs a rest, so I can regroup with God?

~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~

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Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (John16:24).

During the Civil War, a man had an only son who enlisted in the armies of the Union. The father was a banker and, although he consented to his son's going, it seemed as if it would break his heart to let him go.

He became deeply interested in the soldier boys, and whenever he saw a uniform, his heart went out as he thought of his own dear boy. He spent his time, neglected his business, gave his money to caring for the soldiers who came home invalid. His friends remonstrated with him, saying he had no right to neglect his business and spend so much thought upon the soldiers, so he fully decided to give it all up.

After he had come to this decision, there stepped into his bank one day a private soldier in a faded, worn uniform, who showed in his face and hands the marks of the hospital. The poor fellow was fumbling in his pocket to get something or other, when the banker saw him and, perceiving his purpose, said to him: "My dear fellow, I cannot do anything for you today. I am extremely busy. You will have to go to your headquarters; the officers there will look after you."

Still the poor convalescent stood, not seeming to fully understand what was said to him. Still he fumbled in his pockets and, by and by, drew out a scrap of dirty paper, on which there were a few lines written with a pencil, and laid this soiled sheet before the banker. On it he found these words:

"Dear Father: "This is one of my comrades who was wounded in the last fight, and has been in the hospital. Please receive him as myself. --Charlie."

In a moment all the resolutions of indifference which this man made, flew away. He took the boy to his palatial home, put him in Charlie's room, gave him Charlie's seat at the table, kept him until food and rest and love had brought him back to health, and then sent him back again to imperil his life for the flag.

Now you will see what I will do (Exodus 6:1).

~L. B. Cowman~

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The Goal of An Unbroken Circle

BIBLE MEDITATION:
"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The devil hates families who worship together. He will allow parents to be religious, but he does not want them to take their children to heaven with them. As a result, we’re losing an entire generation. Our children are being left behind to die and go to hell because we are compromising with Satan.

Catherine Booth, wife of the founder of the Salvation Army, prayed, "Oh God, I will not stand before Thee without all my children."

ACTION POINT:
There are many fathers and mothers today who need to say that. Stand firm, Mom. Stand firm, Dad. Gather those children close to you and love them to Jesus.

~Adrian Rogers~

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Obedience in Marriage

 Ephesians 5:22-24  gives an important area of obedience.  While this is not popular in our society today, it is biblical, but is also often misunderstood. 

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

It is important to make clear that before God there is an absolute equality between men and women, between husbands and wives.  In fact, this passage does not say, "Women submit to men."  It is purely a domestic situation.

Even with that understanding, the Bible says that husbands and wives are heirs together of the grace of life.  There is an equality before God between men and women and husband and wife.

What this passage teaches is that God has set up a system of authority in the home that needs to be followed, if it is going to be well with us.  In fact, this is even a military term.  To submit or to obey means to put yourself in rank under.

Friend, we are in a spiritual warfare, and there are spiritual forces that have been unleashed against homes and against marriages that would love to tear marriages apart.  

God has designed a way for the home to function, and that is for the man to take the responsibility of leadership and for the wife to come under that authority.  When a husband truly loves his wife, and cares for her like Christ does the church, and the wife respects her husband, things will be well in the home.  That couple and that family will be magnets for the blessings of God.

~Bayless Conley~

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Waiting Expectantly

Today's reading: Psalm 37:1-40

I decided to come back to Psalm 37 again today because there's so much for us to learn here. As I considered David's writing this morning, the message that living for God will require us to be patient as we wait on God and His perfect timing was prominent to me. While I absolutely know this, I still wrestle with this fact and struggle when my timing doesn't line up with God's. So I was thankful for David's words and the needed reminder that waiting expectantly for God must be part of my plan.

What's one thing you noticed about God's timing and waiting from Psalm 37? Was there a particular phrase or verse that encouraged you to be patient and wait expectantly for God to move? 

~Tami~