Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 4 July 2002 — Page 41
The Muncie Times, July 4, 2002, page 41
RELIGION Let Us Not Be Weary
It is at once apparent that the word weary in this text could not pertain to mere physical or mental fatigue. If such were the meaning, then the command (and it must be taken as such) would be impossible to keep. Even Jesus was beset by
physical weariness (John 4:6); and one who is capable of becoming weary of body is, of necessity, also susceptible to mental and spiritual fatigue. No Christian ever lived who did not, at some time, become tired of the continual struggle with the forces of evil, both from without
and within.
Weymouth
translates the text thus: “Let us not lose heart in doing what is right...” Moffatt renders it, “Never let us grow tired of doing what is right...” These renderings give
us the proper picture. It is not wrong to grow tired, but the sin is allowing this physical, mental, or spiritual weariness to cause us to lose heart, and to slacken our efforts in well-doing. The word well-doing embraces every worthwhile Christian activity and exercise. Prayer is the fundamental Christian exercise. It forms a basis for all other successful Christian activity. Jesus said that
“ ... men ought to always pray, and not to faint.” Undoubtedly there is a sad lack of prayer among us today. As sin grows more flagrant; as evil men and seducers wax worse and worse; as end-time iniquity abounds h should we not pray more, and
Susan Cotfidge
more earnestly, than in days gone by? What a tragedy it is, then, that we pray less! Too many are growing weary in this
all-important exercise.
We should not grow weary in attendance to God’s Word. That such constitutes well-doing is seen in II Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well
that ye take heed...”
Do not grow weary in private
Bible study. The Bible contains the living, personal word of God. Through it He can speak directly to you, whoever you are, and whatever your need. Listen carefully and receptively to your minister when he stands before you. He watches for your soul. He has been studying your God’s Word, in relation to your needs. One sometimes wonders, when watching the reaction of some congregation to a sermon, whether they have not grown weary of listening to the Word of God. How about you, as an individual? Do you love the Word of God for itself; or does preaching have to be spectacular, oratorical or brilliant before it makes much of an
impression? Let us not grow weary in Christian living. Even secular tasks can be called “well-doing” if they are done as unto the Lord, and from a motive of love for Him. Well-doing plays a great part in convincing the world of the truth. Peter said, “For so is the will of God, that with welldoing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” And Jesus declared “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our lives should be holy and above blame every day, as we are epistles “... known and read of all men.”
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‘B‘Egi9tSLgSLI9t ‘Every day is afresh beginning, Every morn is the zoo rid made new. you who are weary oj sorrow and
sinning,
Siere is a beautifui hope for you,iA hope for me and a hope for you. Every day is a fresh beginning; Listen, my soui, to thegiad refrain, Sind, spite of o id sorrow and oider
sinning,
And puzzies forecasted and possible
pain,
Eafe heart zvith the day, and begin
again.