{"id":566,"date":"2019-12-10T12:01:07","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T18:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=566"},"modified":"2019-12-11T11:27:56","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T17:27:56","slug":"weary-servant-you-labor-is-not-in-vain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/weary-servant-you-labor-is-not-in-vain\/","title":{"rendered":"Weary Servant: Your Labor Is Not In Vain"},"content":{"rendered":"

How has your year been? As we soon close 2019, where do you find yourself?<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you ending 2019 with a bang, energized and encouraged? Maybe you are enthusiastic and excited about what is to come? Or do you find yourself as a weary servant \u2013 tired, exhausted and beat down? Dreading the unknowns or knowns in front of you.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is, at times, life can be brutal and sometimes the journey can leave you hurting and questioning your direction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If that is you today, the weary servant, take heart your labor is not in vain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A true story of a man<\/h4>\n

He\u2019s a weary servant ready to give in. He\u2019s had amazing victories \u2013 over countless enemies and insurmountable odds, but the latest battle has left him alone picking up the pieces. His heart aches, his mind races and he wonders how one man could face such struggle and conflict. Depressed he goes on a walk to a place where nobody knows his name, where he can be forgotten and alone. Exhausted, he plops down under a tree, desperate and ready to give in. <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His name is Elijah (1 Kings 19)<\/span><\/p>\n

In this chapter, God extends three offers to Elijah \u2013 the same three things he offers the weary today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer #1: See my provision<\/h4>\n

Elijah was in a bad place. Life was burdensome and overwhelming, he feared for his safety, and death seemed like his best option. Eventually, in the midst of his depression he drifted off to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThen he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.<\/span><\/i> All at once an angel touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat.\u201d <\/span><\/i>He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.\u201d So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.<\/span><\/i>\u201d <\/span><\/i>1 Kings 19:5-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What I find interesting about this passage is how little effort Elijah is putting in. He is not keeping up with his daily devotions, not praying, not preaching. Elijah is totally drained and has nothing to give.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, God gently cares for him. Not once, but <\/span>twice<\/span><\/i>, he provides the simplest of provisions: food and water. God never stopped pursuing Elijah, and God never stops pursuing you. <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

I love you Elijah. Don\u2019t forget it! Here, have some food and water, this will nourish your soul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer #2: Hear my words<\/h4>\n

After wandering for 40 days Elijah ends up in a cave. (Another dark depressing place.) God again meets with Elijah and offers tender care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First, came a mighty wind, but God wasn\u2019t in the wind. (v.11)<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, came an earthquake, but God wasn\u2019t in the quake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, was a furious fire burning out of control, but God wasn\u2019t in the fire. (v.12)<\/span><\/p>\n

The big, supernatural events didn\u2019t bring God\u2019s presence, but the whisper did. A gentle whisper at that. More often than not it isn\u2019t the miraculous, spectacular or sensational that bring transformation, it\u2019s the small quiet voice of God, leading his people towards obedience. If you are weary today let me encourage you to take the necessary time to get away and listen for the small quiet voice. Contemplative prayer, solitude, silence, reflection, stillness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen for the gentle whisper of God. <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Offer #3: Rejoice and recognize you are not alone!<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s tempting to feel isolated in your exhaustion, to feel abandoned, angry or alone. But God gently reminds Elijah that he isn\u2019t alone, in fact, he is one of 7,000 faithful servants in Israel. (v.18)<\/span><\/p>\n

So too God wants to remind us that we aren\u2019t alone. Family, friends, ministry partners and many others want to help and encourage you in your weariness. Contrary to what you might feel, you are not alone. <\/span>You may not see them in this desert place. You may not see them in this cave. You may not be aware of them in this darkness of the soul. But you are not alone. <\/span>[1] <\/span><\/sup><\/span>Take courage weary servant. Just as God pursued Elijah in his loneliness so too God pursues you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your labor is not in vain<\/h4>\n

Through the experience of the still small voice, Elijah is recommissioned as the prophet he is. The divine revelation of God reveals His plans to Elijah and sends him off to anoint 3 people. (v.15-16). By calling Elisha and showing Elijah that he is not alone (7,000 others who have not bowed their knee to Baal) God is showing Elijah that all his work as a prophet is not in vain. God\u2019s word does not return void no matter how desperate and dark things look to us. <\/span>[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

If you are limping to the finish line of 2019, weary and exhausted, take heart. God sees your faithful service, knows your weary position and longs to care for your ministry and soul. Take courage my friend, your labor in the Lord is not in vain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I pray that the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 is a comfort and encouragement for you. May God give you rest, revelation and rejuvenation as you celebrate and reflect in the coming days of this Christmas season.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Growth Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you are exhausted and spent this year end, learn from the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and realize that God pursues His people to comfort their souls and recommission them for His glory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scripture Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Reflect on Psalms 18:3. What can we understand about the ways of God in this passage?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Point:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Time to recalibrate for the new year. If you are weary take a half day this second half of the month to reflect and rest in the Lord. Commit yourself to an extended time of silence and solitude and allow God to speak to your weary soul. Tell someone who cares for you about what you hear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
[1]<\/span> https:\/\/www.craiggreenfield.com\/blog\/discouragedordepressed<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
[2]<\/span> https:\/\/bible.org\/seriespage\/restoration-elijah-1-kings-195-18<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>
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