my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land. (Psalm 143:4-6)
Have you been there? Have you been in a place where your spirit has grown faint and your heart has become dismayed? Of course you have. In fact, you've probably walked that desert many times in your life. As Christians, we are told that problems will come:
'“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”' (John 16:33)
And we are told that WHEN these troubles come, we are given a solution:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Seems like the simplest of equations, there is a problem and a ready made solution. The quick answer is Jesus, always. He absolutely gives us EVERYTHING that we need to endure, to strive, to sustain and to conquer. That is some pretty good news. It can be pretty liberating and inspirational news to those who are entering the battle for joy or peace or security. I don't know that there have ever been more inspirational words than these:
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)
"With your help I can advance against a troop ; with my God I can scale a wall." (2 Samuel 22:30)
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
And yet, we find our hearts sad. We find our spirits crushed and our will burdened and weary. Part of running a race means you will get tired. It is work to live the Christian life. It is work to fight against the sinful nature within us. This does not come easily and it doesn't come when we are the most spiritually fit and rested. In fact, scriptures say this about the enemy:
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)Yikes. I certainly don't want to be easy prey. And yet, when I am not within the clutches of my Master, that is exactly what I am. You certainly will encounter moments when you are spiritually thirsty, or tired, or spent. It is what you do in these moments that matters. When Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorns of temptation and persecution from his side he received this answer:
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The answer is that when we are sad, or broken or tired or thirsty or discouraged or whatever else makes us weak and vulnerable to sin and selfishness then we must tap in to the power of the Lord. And we do that by REMEMBERING who God has been throughout the beginning of time, CONSIDERING what His hands have done in our lives, SPREADING out our hands to Him in a gesture of invitation and reception and teaching our soul to LONG for Him and to THIRST for the things of Him. This is not an easy thing. It goes against our nature. So don't beat yourself up when you find that thought your spirit is willing, the flesh may be weak, many before you have felt the same feeling (Mark 14:38). When all else fails, and you find yourself in despair and your spirit downcast, let these words be the prayer of your heart:
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. (Psalm 143:10-11)
God certainly will respond to a heart that longs for His will and His glory.
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