I wonder how many times the Bible makes this command: “Do not grow weary of doing good.”
Do you get weary? Of course, you do.
We are days away from Spring Break. I can tell you kids are weary. Teachers are weary. Parents are weary. Administrators are weary.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9, ESV
What is weariness?
The Greek word for grow weary is eklyō. The Blue Letter Bible app defines this word as “to dissolve” or “to have one’s strength relaxed, to be enfeebled through exhaustion, to grow weak, grow weary, to be tired out.”
As I meditate on these words from Paul, I find myself struggling in my weariness. Last week, I wrote about being tired and our state of mind. I know the right words. I hear Paul telling me these words. I almost hear him saying, “Just stop it!”
And yet, I am weak. My “strength has relaxed.”
The definition “to have one’s strength relaxed” implies that something is doing the “relaxing.”
Going back to last week’s post, I wonder if my weariness is related to “relaxing” my fervor in prayer, my eagerness to open God’s Word, or my heart for worship.
but those who hope in the Lord
Isaiah 40:31, NIV
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I need God’s Word and constant reminders, especially as my strength relaxes.
My hope is in the Lord. As I read these words, I hear a promise in them. When I place my hope in the Lord, my strength will be renewed. Do you see it? Do I see it?
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13, ESV
My hope is in the Lord. I can keep doing the good works the Lord calls me to, because He equips me. He strengthens me. His Word says so.
As I read God’s Word, I begin to feel empowered. Do you feel that too?
In your weariness, I want to challenge you to grab some of these scriptures (or find some others). Pray them. Write them. Remind yourself what they say. Cling to the words that are sharper than any double-edged sword. Be empowered by the words that are active and living. Use these words to regain your strength. Allow these words to overpower the daily circumstances that “relax” you into weariness. May the Lord equip you for the good works He has called you to by the power of His words.
(If you need more empowering words, check out the journal download from this blog post.)
Maybe you needed this reminder today too? Maybe you’ll need this reminder again tomorrow. Dear sister, daily reminders are OK! I venture to say that God would want us to lean into Him for daily reminders. In those daily reminders, we find ourselves truly depending on Him. After all, isn’t that where he wants us?
Not in my strength Lord, but in yours.
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