Encouragement For The Weary Servant

Encouragement For The Weary ServantIt is certainly possible to become discouraged in the Lord’s service. Weariness is something we can all experience in our service for the Lord. There are times when we may feel like giving up. The Lord understands how we feel, of course. There was an occasion when Jesus was physically weary from His journey (Jn. 4:6), and as our great High Priest He can sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). A number of times in the Greek New Testament the word “enkakeo” is used. It means to lose heart or to be fainthearted, and can describe the experience of lacking the courage to do something. Studying the verses where this word occurs can help us understand the spiritual equivalent of physical weariness. Four Situations
There are four different situations where it is possible to experience weariness; the first is in prayer. The Lord Jesus told a parable to emphasize the fact that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1 KJV). That parable reveals that it is possible to “faint” in prayer. However, the widow in the story is an example of one who did not faint because she continued appealing to the unjust judge. She could easily have become discouraged when, after a few appeals, the judge did not grant her request. Instead, she persisted in bringing her case to him. We may begin to feel discouraged because our prayer request does not appear to be answered. Of course, we must not make selfish requests (Jas. 4:3) or ask for things that are not according to God’s will (1 Jn. 5:14). We must not expect requests of this kind to be granted. The widow in the parable did have a legitimate need. Initially she seemed to be unsuccessful, and we can become disheartened when it appears that our prayers are not being answered. In 2 Corinthians, Paul brings to our attention a second situation. It is possible to lose heart in the work of the gospel. Paul twice declared, “We faint not” (2 Cor. 4:1,16). We are amazed that he did not faint when we read of his experiences! Being “troubled on every side ... perplexed ... persecuted ... cast down ... bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus ... delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:8-ll) would surely dampen the spirits of all but the most intrepid of missionaries. It is certainly possible to become discouraged in the Lord’s service when we undertake a very busy program, when we become physically exhausted and when there are no apparent results. A teacher may spend many hours preparing for her Bible class and may come home afterwards wondering if it was worth it – the children were noisy, badly behaved and more interested in things going on outside her room. She may wonder if it is worth continuing to bring the gospel to them week after week. A third situation is perhaps related to this. In Ephesians 3:13, Paul wrote of his “tribulations” and expressed his desire that the Ephesian believers “faint not” at this. Service for the Lord can result in tribulation for the servant. Paul experienced opposition of all kinds and knew what it was to be imprisoned, shipwrecked and stoned. These experiences themselves could have made Paul discouraged, and he seemed aware that others might be disheartened too when they heard about it. Reading of the sufferings of others can make us apprehensive. We wonder how we would cope under such conditions, and so a kind of spiritual weariness sets in. A fourth situation is revealed in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, where Paul wrote, “Be not weary in well doing.” For him to make such a statement shows that it is possible to become weary in doing good. Acts of kindness to those hostile to the gospel seem to have no effect. Disadvantaged people attend outreach meetings and receive help of one kind or another week after week, yet seem not to respond. Even Christians can be shown love and receive help from other believers, and yet appear ungrateful and unmindful of what it costs the giver. Such experiences can make us wonder if it is worth persisting in the good we have been doing. How To Overcome
The Bible is a wonderful book. Not only does it identify the situations in which we can become weary and fainthearted, but it also provides the appropriate remedies. Let us consider these four areas again. Our Lord’s parable was told specifically to impress upon the listeners the need “always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1). But we must keep on praying and not faint! The widow who persisted eventually achieved her desired object. The unjust judge feared that he would be wearied “by her continual coming” (Lk. 18: 5) If an unjust judge will respond to much pleading, will not our God? Shall He not “avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him” (Lk 18:7). Great perseverance in prayer will be needed, but God often tests us to see how concerned we really are. Rest assured, God will hear and answer our prayers. Is there some matter about which you have been praying for a long time with no apparent answer? Do not give up – keep on praying! Paul explained to the Corinthians how he did not lose heart or faint in his service. Very simply, he “received mercy” (2 Cor. 4:1). The power of the risen Christ sustained him, and his “inward man” was “renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:14,16). In his work for the Lord, Paul viewed things from an “eternal” perspective and recognized that any difficulties encountered were “but for a moment” (2 Cor. 4:17). To avoid being fainthearted in our service we must have a right understanding of God’s power and must receive fresh supplies of mercy and grace (Heb. 4:16). Sufferings can be overwhelming, and Paul knew what it was to be “pressed out of measure” on occasions (2 Cor. 1:8). What advice did he give those who were likely to “faint” at hearing of his tribulations? One little phrase supplies the answer: “which is your glory” (Eph. 3:13). Paul’s tribulations were for them, and he told them that they are to be regarded as “glory.” The afflictions are “light'” compared to “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). Rather than become discouraged when things are against us, we need to look beyond the present and view our situation in the light of eternity. There is glory ahead! Certain Promises
Finally, we have seen how it is possible to be “weary in well doing” (2 Th. 3:13). How can we prevent such weariness setting in when the good we are doing does not seem to achieve anything? Two verses give us great encouragement. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The “well doing” is like seed sowing; the harvest will follow. But if we become weary and give up doing good we may miss the harvest. First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” What an encouragement! Our labor is not in vain if it is “in the Lord.” With this in mind, let us keep on doing good and “be not unfruitful” (Ti 3:14). Are you becoming fainthearted? Pray, and pray again! Continue serving the Master in the strength He supplies His servants. Remember the promise: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31). By Martin Girard