Strength to Endure

Are you tired? Do you feel that the amount of work before you is so overwhelming that it might too quickly consume you? Do you sometimes have the sense that the rising tide of responsibility might soon drown you, fearing that the time and resources needed for your tasks are too little? Stressed to the limit, comedian-writer Robert Orban described his own exhaustion in a memorable, yet relatable way:

Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not true. Some of the smaller countries are neutral.

One especially weary individual described his frustration in the following manner.

Yes, I’m tired. For several years I’ve been blaming it on middle age, iron poor blood, lack of vitamins, air pollution, water pollution, saccharin, obesity, dieting, underarm odor, yellow wax buildup, and a dozen other maladies that make you wonder if life is really worth living.

But now I find out, it ain’t that.

I’m tired because I’m overworked.

The population of this country is over 200 million. Eighty-four million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school., which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the government.

That leaves 19 million to do the work. Four million are in the armed forces, which leaves 15 million to do the work. Take from that total the 14,800,000 people who work for the state and city governments and that leaves 200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 in hospitals, so that leaves 12,000 to do the work. Now there are 11,998 people in prisons. That leaves just 2 people to do the work. You and me. And you’re standing there reading this. No wonder I’m tired.

While your workload may seem exhausting, it is not the heaviest burden that we can carry. Jesus made clear that this life is not for the faint of heart; it is, at times, quite arduous. This is exactly what is stated by His words to His disciples: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The brokenness of this life can leave us feeling quite drained. As followers of a God who created a perfect world, and a Savior who will one day fully restore it, we can often become disheartened by the deterioration of sin all around us. God has charged us to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3), but in a culture that increasingly rejects the gospel, we can easily become exhausted. Sometimes even those who profess faith in Christ cannot be found when the battle is fiercest. So, how can we possibly stand?

It was to just such circumstances that the writer of Hebrews would address his readers. The culture in which they were living was in sharp moral decline, and many of the so called “faithful” had fallen to the wayside. Believers were under fierce temptation to abandon their hope and give up in despair. So, the Holy Spirit would inspire the writer to pen these words to those weary travelers:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.—Hebrews 12:1-2

God’s Word to them remains God’s word to us. It is sufficient to provide encouragement and strength to us just when we may otherwise be tempted give up in our calling. Note six specific truths to which we must cling that we may not lose heart.

1. Remember, you are not alone.

We are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” Hebrews 11 provides an extensive pantheon of believers, countless of them unknown to history, who faithfully served the Lord in difficult times. Even today, you may feel like the only faithful follower in your workplace, school, or any particular setting. But you are not alone. Take hope in this.

2. Don’t succumb to the allurement of sin.

Sin “clings closely to us.” We don’t have to work at breaking God’s commands; it is a practice for which we have mastered with great skill. Rather, we must fight against our sin nature by the Holy Spirit’s power, utilizing God’s Word, prayer, Christian fellowship, and a striving toward holiness. One sin begets another. When we are loaded by sin, each step toward Christ becomes more labored.

3. Our calling is a marathon, not a sprint.

Too many falsely believe that following Christ is a leisurely walk, or perhaps only a short distance. Rather, followers of Christ must prepare for a long and difficult journey. This will require endurance. Expect setbacks and tremendous disappointments, but keep your eyes on the finish line.

4. Every set of events in your life is already marked by God.

The writer of Hebrews instructs that “the race is set before us.” God has already mapped our course. He already knows how we will finish the race and the means needed for each new hill or valley. Tomorrow’s events may surprise or even dismay you, but God has it planned from eternity.

5. Keep your focus set upon Christ.

The only thing that keeps an athlete or a worker pushing through the pain of the moment is the reward which is still to come. So it is that we must keep our gaze upon our great reward—even Jesus! The obstacles you are facing as you follow Him are not greater than what He has already overcome to bring you to Himself.

6. Hurry up and rest.

We often refer to what Jesus has done, but not that to which Jesus is doing. We are told that Jesus is “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” His work for our salvation is finished. We never could have earned what He has freely given us. When we are most weary, remember that we don’t fight for salvation, but from it. So, don’t give up!

Jason