ARE YOU TIRED AND WEARY? The hymn, Peace in the Valley was one that many famous singers, both Christian and non-Christians recorded. Some of the words were, “I’m so tired and so weary but I must go along, till the Lord comes and calls me away, oh yes…..” and I have to admit there have been many times I myself felt that way. What about you? Have you gone through valleys where you didn’t know if you would ever climb the victory mountain? Have you been so tired and weary from the battle that you just felt like giving up? You are not alone! Let me tell you a story.
During the Vietnam War there were three soldiers that somehow got separated from their platoon. All around was waste land with leeches, snakes and all the things that can kill you if you don’t get killed by the enemy’s firepower. They knew that the Vietcong were not that far behind them as they tried to make their way to a safe place. Yeah a safe place alright, nothing but jungle like terrain with mud and thick mire of the soil of a strange country where they hadn’t choose to visit much less fight a war in.
Let’s call our hero’s Harry, Jonathon and Sonny, all different in their religion, schooling and morals. Harry was Jewish, Jonathon wasn’t religious and Sonny was a Baptist or a born-again Christian and boy did was he a strong witness to the other two and really to anyone that he felt led to tell about the saving grace of Jesus.
Harry didn’t want to hear about Jesus. Oh he would accept that Jesus was a prophet but not the Son of God, how dare anyone claim that title. Jonathon, well he wasn’t raised with any religion, he only knew that his neighbors claimed to be Christians but sure didn’t live a Holy life. He would see his neighbor come in drunk or hear him curse out his kids and to him he didn’t want any part of that so called religion.
Now stay with me, I am going somewhere with this story and you will be encouraged if you are tired and weary from your journey.
The soldiers were hungry and thirsty, their food supply had dwindled down to one can of tuna and one tablet for purifying a canteen of water. They were holding off on eating the tuna until the next morning as it was getting close to night time.
Before they could discuss the plan for taking turns staying awake as the night shadows darkened, gunfire sounded in the distance. They knew they had to keep going.
A muddy ravine was close and they decided to wade in it and they wouldn’t be seen, they hoped it would lead them closer to their camp. They walked into the slimy, dark water which was almost to their ankles and they didn’t see the booby trap.
The metal and wire wrapped so quickly around Jonathon’s ankle that if it wasn’t for his boot (and a miracle from God) he would have lost his foot. The blood was spurting out of Jonathon and Harry picked him up and started running through the creek carrying him on his back.
Sonny was praying, he was declaring a scripture that wasn’t known or ever heard by the other two. He was declaring, “No weapon formed against us will prosper”. He was declaring, “By the stripes of Jesus, Jonathon you are healed”. He continued to say those words over and over and over while Harry continued to run with the bleeding and hurting Jonathon on his back.
Sonny kept encouraging Jonathon that he would make it to their camp, there would be a medic there and he wouldn’t lose his foot. Were they tired and weary? Oh yes they were. Where did they get their strength to keep going? God gave them strength? Are you willing to accept the strength you need to make it to the place you need to be?
I am writing this to let you know that the Holy Spirit of God is aware of you and your tiredness and weariness and he is giving you strength…right now, not tomorrow, right now!!! Reach out and take it! You aren’t reading this by accident, you are reading this because you need God’s touch and strength.
The story of our soldiers has a good ending. They made it to an American camp and were able to get Jonathon to a field unit hospital. The medics and doctors there couldn’t believe their eyes when they removed the twisted metal trap that encircled Jonathon’s ankle. Someway and somehow the blood flow had even stopped and there was no explanation for it. Sonny knew why it stopped and why the injury should have been devastating and it wasn’t. God sustained and gave a miracle to those soldiers that day.
Today reach out by faith and receive strength from God. Be encouraged and know that God loves you so very much. You are getting stronger even as you read this, you are encouraged as you read this and you feel a peace in your mind and body. Both the tiredness and weariness are soon passing and a new day is dawning for you, receive it and let God’s love and mercy come to you.
This is my prayer and thought for today.