IS YOUR FAITH GETTING WORN OUT?
By W. G. Guy
It appears that many true believers are getting frustrated, anxious and troubled by what is going on in our society and our government. So much that we see going on is contrary to our Christian morals and biblical belief system. Thus keeping the faith seems to be becoming a burden as we are living in open opposition to our standards which are threatening our norms. Jesus knew this condition would be faced by His followers; thus He said the following:
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus says that He is aware of your struggles in this world as you labor to maintain yourself and your family in faith to Him, and His Word. The Greek word in the above scripture for “labor” is kopaio, and means “to feel wearied and fatigued”. The term “heavy laden” is the Greek phortizo, which means “to be loaded upon and overburdened”. To which Jesus says He will “give you rest”, which is the Greek word anapauo, meaning “to repose”, as in to lay down and relax, and “to refresh” or renew strength.
Jesus goes on to say, “Take my yoke upon you”, which means to be tied, or yoked to him, as two oxen are yoked together to pull an object. He then says that, “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”, which means that He does most of the pulling with you, you are not in it alone.
He also says that, “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart”. Learn, in this passage, comes from the Greek word manthano, which means “to understand”; thus to learn about Him and how He handles such situations and conditions, and taking His methods as your own. He goes on to identify Himself as “I am meek and lowly in heart”; the Greek for “meek” is praos, which means gentle and humble. And “lowly” is from tapeinos, meaning “humility or of low degree”. Thus Jesus is not pushy or flamboyant as He goes through difficult situations, but remains contrite in His attitude as He is in full submission to, and dependent on His Heavenly Father.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus knows what you are going through, He will walk with you through it all because He wants you to be at peace and not full of worry and anxiety. As you are yoked together with Him, He will lead you through all trials and situations because He knows how to overcome the world and all of its trials. He has even given to us His Holy Spirit who is our Comforter, even in the most severe trials and tribulations.
John 14:16-17 – I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, And neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Even God, our Heavenly Father, cares about your trials and situations and wants us to cast all of our concerns on Him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.
Then know that Jesus, Himself, can identify with what you are going through, even in your pain, sickness, infirmities and personal afflictions.
Hebrews 4:14-16 – Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus even intercedes to the Father on our behalf for our help and preservation.
Romans 8:34 – Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Therefore we can live and walk through all our trials and troubles knowing that He is with us in every, and all, situations, to be our strength, and our shield. He will also refresh us when we become weak in our own strength, so that He becomes our strength, and renews us to continue on in Him.
Remember His words to us: lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He also said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Another reinforcing passage is found in the Psalms:
Psalms 23 – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (lake any good thing). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, (for a rest with Him); He leadeth me beside the still waters, (as a time of refreshing). He restoreth my soul, (renewing my strength to go on); He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, (I can feast on the bread of life while Satan watches in fear); thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over, ( He blesses me with abundance of Himself). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. AMEN!
Therefore, renew and refresh yourself in the LORD and in His Word, because you are still in the race – and you will win with HIM!
Galatians 6:9 – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
So don’t let your faith get worn out: remember that He is your strength.
Psalm 18:2 – The LORD is my rock and mu fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 28:7 – The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth and with my song will I praise Him.
