Text: Judges 8:4 … “And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.”
What a thrilling sight it must have been to behold 32,000 men standing ready to support you in the fight against your enemy. Too soon however, that number dwindled to 10,000 and then to only 300, all because of God’s process of elimination.
But, with that 300 and a promise from God, the enemy was pursued.
Gideon and this small army would break lanterns, blow trumpets, and bellow out their battle cry, putting the Midian army on the run. Gideon’s army chased the enemy up and down until ultimate victory was achieved.
Victory didn’t come though without a great price. An interesting phrase in this text gives a clue about their personal struggles, but also their stubborn determination. It says …”they were faint, yet pursuing.”
They had grown weary in well-doing.
Don’t we all?
Burnout and fatigue in ministry is very common today. The statistics of those leaving the ministry are staggering. There is a battle for the mind that leads to the depletion of one’s spirit and even to the weakness of one’s body. Ultimately, the church and kingdom of Heaven suffer from the loss of good soldiers.
Are you worn?
Have you ever thought about giving up the fight?
If so, here are some things to remember that will help you keep going on for the Lord:
I. Don’t Lose Your Head
The Bible declares in Isaiah 26:3: “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”
Then in Philippians 2:5, Paul wrote: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
A confused and fatigued mind makes bad decisions.
Here’s what you must do:
—Rest in His provision
—Be renewed in His peace
—Then Rejoice in His presence
II. Don’t Lose Your Heart
Jesus said in John 14:1: “Let not your heart be troubled.”
David said: “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
The greatest advice I’ve ever found is in Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths.”
Too many singers and ministers of the Gospel have at times lost their heart for the ministry, the multitudes, and most tragically of all, The Master.
III. Don’t Lose Your Hope
I like what David wrote in Psalms 146:5 “Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
Then he urges us in Psalms 42:5 by saying: “Hope thou in God.”
An amazing story is contained In Acts 27. It’s the story of Paul on a doomed ship. It holds many thought-provoking ideas while describing the dilemma of slaves and sailors trying to survive the terrible storm.
One phrase stands out above them all. “All hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” Hope is the last thing to die in a man, but it can die. Paul never lost his hope. He was in the minority, but his hope was contagious and brought victory to the other men on the ship.
God wants to use you to bring hope to others.
Here’s how:
Often, you will need to encourage yourself in the Lord.
Daily, you should anticipate His favor.
Always, you must trust His promises.
Continue on and fight the good fight of faith, because very soon, it will be worth it all.
Tim Hill
