Scripture
21Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. 1 Samuel 30:21
Observation
The Amalekites had taken everything from David and his men including their wives and children. David strengthens himself in the Lord, but not all of his troops were ready to go out to battle. They literally had nothing left to give and David knew that, in this state of exhaustion, they would be slaughtered by their enemies. He left them behind with a purpose- “guard the equipment.” Then, when David and his men returned with the plunder and everything restored just as God had promised there some of his troops who felt that they shouldn’t have to share with those who didn’t fight. David’s heart for the weary and worn is such a powerful picture of God’s heart for those who have nothing left to give- give to them what God has given you. “Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1 Sam 30:23-24) This is the same thing Isaiah prophesied of Jesus, “So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:18“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. 20He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. 21And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Application
There are a lot of people whose branches are almost broken off and who are on the verge of complete burn out. Like the mighty warriors of David who were too weary to even fight to recover their families many are giving up on their marriages and children out of sheer fatigue and lack of hope. A Time Magazine article recently described our current state in America as “The Great Exhaustion.” Recent trends like Quiet Quitting, Bare Minimum Mondays and The Great Resignation, when over 47 million Americans voluntarily resigned from their positions, all reveal the weary souls around us and in us. According to Emily Ballesteros in her book, The Cure for Burnout: How to Find Balance and Reclaim Your Life, “The three factors that are commonly overlooked but that I believe are contributing the most are unsustainable lifestyles, exposure to stress outside of our control, and financial insecurity. These are facets of our lives that we have managed to normalize. But this normalization has caused us to disregard their impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.” This article on exhaustion coincides with another article this week that states for the first time America is dropped out of the top 20 Happiest Countries. The interesting fact to note is that the number one predictor of happiness is social support and community while also being the number one thing we usually cut out when we are exhausted. So, exhaustion is increasing, happiness is decreasing and we are pulling back from one of the main solutions to both- each other. Let me emphasize we need in-person interaction. Despite the promise of a more connected future through our technology it’s becoming more and more clear the opposite is true. A third of Americans say that they feel lonelier than ever before. According to a new study 34% of Americans expect to spend more time by themselves with 37% saying they don’t interact with anyone at least once a week. This lack of social connection has resulted in a loneliness epidemic that clearly ties in to our sheer exhaustion and drop in happiness. Bottom line is this, if you’re going to make cuts in your schedule for mental and emotional well-being, don’t cut out what God is saying to keep in, “24 In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. 25 Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Prayer
Lord, I first of all want to thank You from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful healing community You have invited me in to with my family and faith family. They all bring such life to me when life can often be so demanding and draining. I know that You are the source of my joy and that Your joy is my strength. I also know You have put others around me that lift me up in prayer and words of encouragement. I pray that I can continue to do the same for those around me as I know many branches about to break and many flames about to flicker out due to the unending demands in their lives. Now, more than ever, we need to be the hands and feet of You Jesus to those around us.
