I’m just so tired.” It’s a common phrase that I’ve heard from people in my counseling office over the years. Sometimes they say the words to play the “pity me” card. Others are unknowingly lying to themselves— falling deeper into discouragement and depression. But in many cases, they’re voicing a legitimate cry of an exhausted heart.
At a time when Israel was still growing as a nation, Moses found himself going through a difficult situation where he was physically and emotionally spent (Exodus 17:8-16). Journeying through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, the newly freed slaves came under attack by an experienced army of desert nomads known as the Amalekites.
During the battle, God instructed Moses to stand on top of a hill and hold up his staff (a symbol of God’s power). As long as Moses held the staff high, the Israelites won. When the staff became heavy and his arms started to lower, the Amalekites got the upper hand.
Over the course of the day, Moses started to tire. So the people rolled a rock underneath him to provide some support. A couple of men also stood next to Moses and held his weary arms up in the air until the battle was won (Exodus 17:12).
As the story unfolds, it’s almost as if God intentionally put Moses in an impossible situation to teach him some important lessons. He and the people still had a lot to learn about living a new life of freedom. One of the things God wanted Moses to understand is this: When we run out of gas, we need help from others to get through.
Are you tired? Do you feel worn out? Learn from Moses and seek help from God and an earthly ally or two.
More:
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me (Romans 16:1-2).
Next:
Who are the allies you can turn to when you feel worn out? How has God given you hope today?
R R Kelkar on June 28, 2010 at 2:08 am
Jeff, this is exactly how I am feeling right now! Tired and worn out…Your post came as a stimulant just when I needed it.
Living can be burdensome by itself, but God can surely help to lighten the load..
maryanneb47 on June 28, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Thank You R R Kelkar for your response. I to feel worn out because of my family. I also felt I had no one to turn too until I realized that I always have God to turn to in my troubles and tribulations. I also have the people at this web site that I know I can get advice. Thank You everyone.
Soldier4Christ on June 28, 2010 at 7:28 am
I have to say that there are many days that I feel just plain worn out. But when I get that way if I begin to utter a prayer to God that weariness fades away. We all need to remember that God is the real source of unlimited power.
mikan14 on June 28, 2010 at 9:06 am
There are several times I feel so tired, tired of the everyday stress, pressure, and responsibilities. There are also times I feel tired of other people’s behavior. But only God can judge. So I must put all my cares to Him, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). If He has overcome, I too must overcome all these things. All cares must be laid upon Him…
Thank you for this post.. God bless =)
purestrength on June 28, 2010 at 9:08 am
When I feel tired and worn out first I turn to the Lord in prayer and read my Bible – His word – for strength and encouragement. Then I turn to ODJ and other christian websites. Your daily devotionals and the comments from visitors are always encouraging and uplifting. I can get lost for hours reading blogs and going to links on your page. Sometimes this is all I need – to rest for awhile and know I am not alone. I also talk to family and friends – especially the ones who make me smile.
I pray that those people that read this devotional will be blessed and draw strength from the Lord.
Oh Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2
tony rodriguez on June 28, 2010 at 9:33 am
THIS IS SO TRUE ESPECIALLY WITH JOBS TO WORK CHILDREN TO RAISE AND THE CARES OF LIFE. I OFTEN LOOK AT IT AS, AS LONG AS OUR HANDS ARE RAISED IN PRAISE AND NOT LOOKING AT OUR SITUATIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE WINNING. JUST AS GOD PROVIDED THE MEN TO HELP BY HOLDING UP MOSES’ HANDS, HE PROVIDED SIMON TO HELP JESUS CARRY THE CROSS. LUKE 23:26. GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. PSALM 46:1 HE WANTS TO HELP AND FOR US NOT TO LEAN ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING THEN HE GETS THE GLORY.
HALLELUJAH! GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND BE ENCOURAGED JESUS IS KING AND WE’RE HIS CHILDREN AMEN!
hello on June 28, 2010 at 11:14 am
This is the scenario I have been through in my work recently. I feel my energy and strength to held alone in work has worn out. In fact, the same things had happened many times before. Thanks to Tim Felton here. He advised me to read on “How to get satisfaction in work”. I gained lots of christian solution out there. Eventhough my problem still exist and havent solved but it change my perspective and view of see the things differently. I believe from there, all the scenario will begins differently. I just do what God said to me and dont think of what will it be. I think God puts me in impossible situation for his very own purpose and I believe He wants me to learn from there.
I hope all christians brother and sisters here will continue to seek God and his kingdom. Don’t give up easily. Shalom.
msumalabe on June 28, 2010 at 2:01 pm
worn out. that’s how i’ve been feeling for some time now. but the Lord continuously reminds me that His grace is sufficient for my weakness… that His mercies are new every morning… that i can cast all my cares upon Him… that He will never leave me nor forsake me…
thank you for this message. it has been a great encouragement.
r. panahon on June 28, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I sometimes felt the same way…… so exhausted, so tired of being the one who suppose to giveway in everything but glory be to God that just in time He would give me assurances like that He’s the” 4th man in the furnace “(Daniel 3:23-26) when I read this Im so thankful to Him, this assures me that also in my “life furnace” He is there He would never leave me!
roseofGod on June 30, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Thank you God for this word! I’ve been struggling with the notion that I am failing at my work for the Lord. I needed to be reminded that not only is it His power and authority, but that I need to be seated on my rock- Jesus Christ and I need to accept the help He sends my way so that I will keep the staff raised like Moses. I am overwhelmed at how this came at just the right time. Praise the Lord.
graceofGod on July 1, 2010 at 12:02 am
Agree with purestrength. When I run out of steam, I go down on my knees in prayer, then read God’s Word to hear His voice and turn to Christian literature and websites for support. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing me onto the ODJ website and so thankful for you all for the honest sharing and the encouraging words.
Thanks, God bless all of you!
Invisible on July 1, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Yes, I’m tired.
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of this story of Moses at sometime, though not quite in the way it’s written here. Typically I will not read anything about the old testament. Actually, never, but I am curious as to why it is accepted and read by most who read the new testaments. I’m trying to understand this, the story of Moses, but in reading this I wonder…”If Moses had become to exhausted to hold up the staff would God have allowed all of them to die? And why, if he loved Moses and his people.
I’m taking in all of the responses here, and the main theme is… yes, life is hard, I am tired, but God sees me through and sends someone to help lift up my arms when my strength is gone. (My words – my take) I’m touched or inspired I guess to find out how you get this connection/help.
I’ve begun reading the new testament a little bit. Only specific places that have been suggested, but sometimes I do feel drawn to read more. I’m almost certain that I’m a Christian yet can’t seem to understand the relationship with God the way described here. I also don’t think he’s really helping find strength, but perhaps this is my own fault, in that I’m not really sure how you go about asking.
So, why does God make people go through impossible situations in order to teach them that he is there strength, if I’m understand the story of Moses correctly.
alanmross on July 4, 2010 at 7:10 am
Consider this, in the old testament God was apart from the people so they needed each other to live out His will and purpose. Moses needed help. God provided.
Once Christ came, He gave us His Spirit, within us for it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us and we in Him. We need help. God has provided. But the full body of Christ is all of us, so we still need each other. More now than ever and God through His Holy Spirit in us, provides once again.
jeff olson on July 2, 2010 at 10:56 am
Invisible, you are asking good questions. Here are a few reasons that come to mind as to why I read the Old Testament.
First, the New Testament itself tells us that all Scripture (including the Old Testament) is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and bring correction when we lose our way (2 Timothy 3:16).
Second, Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament, lays out the backdrop for the entire Bible as well as all of our lives–the ongoing war between the forces of evil and the forces of good. It tells how Satan, the fallen angel, lured mankind into rebelling against God just like he once did. It tells how we fell into the hands of the Evil One and how sin entered a perfect world and spred like a computer virus. But it also tells how God does not abandon us and promises to come to our rescue and restore us and defeat evil for good through Jesus Christ (Genesis 3). This is what God was referring to when he said to Satan (the serpent),
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:15).
The “he” being referred to in verse 15 who will do the crushing is Jesus. That’s one of the great things about the Bible, especially the Old Testament. It is concrete and metaphorical at the same time.
Third, it’s been said that the Bible is not a book of exceptions, it’s a book of examples. All of those stories in the Old Testament tells us what it is like to follow and walk with God and what it is like when we don’t.
food for thought
Invisible on July 2, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Food that is difficult to chew, but yes, food for thought none the less. Not sure what I think about it, but willing to wrestle with it a little.
Invisible on July 4, 2010 at 12:55 am
somedyas are goodf tp justr end.
godrules on November 11, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Todays reminded me that God gave me a picture years ago of holding a staff up for my family … today I thought of my prodical 21yer old son & the hard battle … & how few the helpers have been to stand beside me & how short … but I feel to put my hand up at church to support those who are in the battle for there prodicals did this once before but couldn’t find others to stand with me in the need that surfaced perhaps I shouldn’t be looking at people just God & like moses do what god has told me to do!