Apples of Gold

I recently coined a new word by merging two words that aptly describes how I feel after teaching my amazing group of teen girls on Wednesday evening-that word is Exhausterated. These girls have so much energy, and keeping up with them at my age is no small feat; so I find myself feeling exhausted. They are also very sweet, welcoming, eager to learn more about God and concerned for their friends and teachers who do not have a relationship with God, so getting to interact with them is exhilarating.

When I consider many aspects of my current life situation exhausterated is actually a pretty fitting description of my condition. The relentless demands on my time from all directions sometimes crowd out the exhilaration and leave me in a crumpled mess of exhaustion with no respite in sight. I needed a reminder to keep plodding along:

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Not gonna lie, I am weary. Chances are you are too. It’s much deeper than a physical exhaustion. The silent toll the constant mental and spiritual load we are carrying in these dark days may escape our notice as it stealthily zaps our energy and dwindles our reserves.

I want to cry along with David:

How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? Psalm 94:3-4

The normality of deliberate deception found in politics, the media, and yes, even in pulpits today is heavy. The lack of common sense and the ability to reason in the general population is terrifying. Evil seems to be having a heyday but like David, I realize that I cannot dwell here. David is known for encouraging himself in the Lord. This Psalm is no exception as he moves on to remind himself of the character of his God:

Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” But your unfailing love O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:16-19

West Virginia seems to have more than its share of crumbling roadways. Perhaps it’s the soil, or the many hills but it is not uncommon to see sections of the road shifting and sliding down the hillside, especially after an unusually heavy rainfall. Sometimes there is little or no warning that the road that was solid last time you passed this way is now buckled and unstable. As the norms from my childhood become increasingly abnormal I occasionally find myself caught off guard by the unexpected collapse of time-tested values.

The thirst for power and influence and the ruthless approach to acquiring it is present in all aspects of our society. The ends will never justify the means. Trying to accomplish a good thing in a bad way invites evil to make an entrance to the process and once allowed entrance evil will not sit quietly in a corner.

To the conscious observer the lack of justice and the rampant march of evil can be overwhelming unless we remember who is actually in charge here:

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side-leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them. Psalm 94:20-23

No one is going to get away with anything. At some point justice will be served. While we long for justice I hope our hearts also break for the souls of those who find themselves unwittingly serving as tools for Satan. So while we wage war with the enemy we must strive to rescue those who find themselves slaves to sin.

So if you find yourself exhausterated today, or even outright exhausted, put one foot in front of the other and trust the one who never takes his eyes off you. The tide of evil might be rising but just as the oceans stop at his command, our God will step in at just the right moment and righteousness will prevail.

I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble: the one who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watching over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121