The View from the Pulpit:
Dear People of God, Gathered at Resurrection,
I would like to share an article from Pr. Donald Ginkle, an LCMS pastor serving in Denver, Co., who wrote the following:
Are You Tired?
One day Julia Ward Howe slumped into her chair, the weight of the world on her shoulders, and said, “I’m tired, tired way down into the future!” You’ve had moments like that, haven’t you? Tired, tired way down into the future. Now, pay close attention.
The road to the Promised Land was much longer than the people coming out of Egypt realized it would be. Have you ever thought about that? Psalms 77 and 78 re-cap the story of the wilderness wanderings. Forty years! Forty tiring years! And how they murmured and complained. There was always an undertone of irritability and grumbling.
Sometimes I think we are a lot like those fleeing people. We have much in common with those ancient wilderness marchers. We, too, are part of a moving, marching, irritable generation. Often people complain and say, “I’m sick and tired…” and then go on to enumerate what they are sick and tired about.
But I want you to notice something in Exodus 15:27 where we read, “They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” It doesn’t take a very vivid imagination to picture that. Water! Trees! Cool shade, green grass, something refreshing to drink! Somehow that renews your faith in the goodness and mercy of God, doesn’t it? God’s Word is our “Elim” – water, shade, refreshment. Please know that it is God’s will for you to find renewal in Him.
Isaiah declares: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [Isaiah 40:28-31].
It is your God in heaven who makes these promises to you today. Remember I said that Julia Ward Howe said she was tired, tired way down into the future? The same Savior carried her. She didn’t stay tired. She was a believer and wrote the song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
As she did, so may you just now as you drink at His “wells of refreshment.” Have some good Bible study today all by yourself. Have family devotions. And may I see you in worship and Bible Class next Sunday morning. Bring another thirsty person along with you.
Worship is at 8:00 & 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study & Sunday School is at 9:30 am.
May God continue to bless each of you in mission and ministry!
Held Together With You, in Christ Loving Hands,
Pastor Hank Hollar
Living in God’s Grace – as we LOVE – EQUIP – SHARE!
