Spiritual Exhaustion

Isaiah knew well what is is to be exhausted. He it was who wrote,

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary..."

But this same God commanded Peter,

"Feed my sheep."

It is the shepherd who works, not the sheep. They simply eat and roam about and lie down and make babies. The shepherd must carry them, push and pull, rescue them, fight off wild animals, and protect them from the elements, not to mention take care of himself and his family. Such work is consuming. Jacob explained well in Genesis 31:40:

"This was my situation: The heat consumed me by day and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes."

When we feed Jesus' sheep, and this certainly includes caring for our own children, we are apt to become truly exhausted. Oswald Chambers explains that it is because, until they learn to feed upon Jesus' own bread and wine, they feed upon us, that is, they come to us for nourishment. Not that we can in any way save them. But our whole job is to help them come to Jesus who CAN save them, and receive his flesh and his blood. Until they are brought to Him, they will devour our time, our strength, our spirit, and all the material help we can give them.

As parents we don't demand our children to earn their own living or pay rent. Neither can we expect spiritual lambs to keep up with the flock and be spiritually mature or fit and strong, nor the rambunctious rams to keep with the flock and not run off on their own. We have to do the providing, carrying, and lots of rescuing. As the beautiful old picture of Jesus rescuing a sheep depicts, we have the same dangerous job. And it is exhausting.

Unless we are, ourselves, continuously feeding upon our Lord. The "Spring of water within us" comes from HIM, not from US, but only if we are depending on Him. Many ministers have tried to supply the needs of people from their own intellect or goodwill or kindness. These are consumed so quickly. Daily we must come back to Jesus and renew our strength from him.

How do we "come back to Jesus"? What does this mean? Isaiah continues in vv.30-31:

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord 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."

To pause and spend this time each morning with my Lord, in his word, in meditating on his word and prayer, this is all I know. My hope so easily wanders to things of this world, people, places I want to visit, activities I want to do, but cannot. All are good, in a way; but they are none of them a true and living hope. So what if I write an opera or a great book? Soon it will be forgotten and the applause will die out. What if I become a great man? Soon I will be dead and gone.

But those who hope in God will feed Jesus sheep and care for his lambs. Their hope is in HIM, not in the sheep; their hope is in his kingdom, not America or any other kingdom here below. We don't grow weary if our hope is in the everlasting God. I can attest that God is faithful to strengthen me, though I have not labored near as hard or faithfully as those who helped me and have served God's flock with all their hearts. Oh that I might trust him and give my all in serving him, depending on him rather than my talents or efforts. Lord, only grant me courage to follow you, and speak your word like Isaiah. Send your sheep to me, if you would help them through me. IJNA.