Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 24, 2015
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?
Post/Tweet this today: Exhaustion is God’s way of getting our attention. We can’t continue to run hard and leave out the Lord. #battlefatigue #wisdomhunters
Worship Resource: 6 minute video- Gaither’s: I Saw the Light
Today’s writing is from Boyd’s most popular book a 365 day devotional Seeking Daily the Heart of God. Order today!
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Your daily devotional a have been a source of inspiration to me for several years. The opening statement pops up, as an email notification, across the top of my screen. A lot of times that generates enough interest for me to stop what I’m doing and take a few moments to read what you have to say. Today was the same but this devotional hit me right in the heart, but many of them do. Our God is amazing and even in exhaustion we can find Him. Wow! Thank you for bringing that to light this morning.
Are the devotionals available in Spanish?
Tried several times to share on Facebook, but the link is broken. Timely subject – thank you!
Dear Beren,
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words about the Wisdom Hunter devotionals. We are thankful that you are being blessed by them and we give all the glory to God!
I think you probably speak for many in our Wisdom Hunter’s family when you said “this devotional really hit me in the heart…”. It just seems like today we live such fast paced lives, that many of us are exhausted and don’t even realize it until we get sick or “burn out”. The devotional “Battle Fatigue” raised a few red flags regarding the effects of exhaustion on our lives.
But we learn that there is a REMEDY for this exhaustion and it is our God, our Rock, our Refuge, our Deliverer! As Boyd stated in the devotional. “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”. Amen and Amen!
Thank you Beren, for taking the time to reach out to us. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Dear Dianne,
I am so sorry you are having problems with the FB link. I am sending you an email (it will come from gwynne@wisdomhunters.com) with a few suggestions that may help with the problem. Will get that out to you today.
In the meantime, thank you so much for contacting us. We are thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Grateful for you~
Gwynne
Hello Debra. Thank you for asking. Our daily devotionals are not yet available in Spanish, HOWEVER, we are able to offer you two of our Wisdom Hunters books in Spanish. “Infusion” which is a 90 day devotional book is available in Spanish, as well as, “Wisdom for Fathers”, which is a 30 day devotional book. Please let me know if you would be interested in either one of these.
Our hope is to eventually have all of our books in Spanish. We are excited and very thankful for our Hispanic Wisdom Hunter’s family!
Debra, you can reach me by email at gwynne@wisdomhunters.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Be joyful always; pray continually; giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18