If You Are Sick, Weary, and Exhausted—These Scriptures Might Surprise You!
Have you ever been misjudged by people because your health issues are not readily visible to them? I certainly have. When I was finally able to walk without using my walker, I saw an acquaintance at a grocery store. I had not seen her in many years, and although she knew about my health challenges, she did not know their full extent.
Instead of asking how I was doing, she remarked that she used to see my husband at many high school football games, but with a very direct judgmental stare, said, "I never saw you at any of them." She obviously assumed that I had chosen not to show up or be involved with my family.
I did not debate the fact that I attended games for a short time just to see my daughters' cheerleading routines. Nor did I mention that I was unable to sit for long periods or that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in my hands made it difficult to push a walker across grass and gravel. I did not even tell her about my cancer fatigue. Instead, my smile froze as I processed her unspoken implication—and I felt unfairly misjudged.
Have you also had people assume things about you or judge you for not being able to attend the activities that healthy people take for granted? Then this passage in God's Word will restore and comfort your spirit.
Even Mighty Warriors Grow Tired
Before David became King of Israel, he and his men conducted many battle campaigns. They were strong, courageous, and even referred to as, "mighty warriors." (2 Samuel 23:8) So, I was surprised to learn that these mighty warriors lost their strength and had to stay back from one of the most important missions of their lives: rescuing their wives and children.
"When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (1 Samuel 30:3-4).*
David sought the Lord's wisdom in pursuing the Amalekite raiding party that had taken their families captive. The Lord assured him of their success, so, "David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit" (1 Samuel 30:9-10).
These men wept until they had "no strength left to weep." They loved their wives and children, but even mighty warriors run out of strength. Even mighty warriors have bodies that sometimes fail them. Their grief, coupled with the exhaustion of pursuing the Amalekites on demanding terrain, had finally taken a physical toll. When they came to Besor Valley, a ravine in Judah, a whopping two hundred men were so fatigued they were unable to cross it.
Great men. Mighty Warriors. They had every reason to race forward to rescue their loved ones. Yet physical, emotional, and perhaps even spiritual exhaustion prevented them from moving ahead. Can you imagine the torment this must have caused them?
Perhaps you can.
Have you ever been so grieved that you have no more strength left to weep? Are you grieving the loss of a dream, relationship, or even the death of a loved one? Have you been sidelined by health issues that keep you from pursuing the life you would like to lead? Then you also understand the inner torment of David's mighty men.
How humbling it was for the two hundred exhausted warriors to watch the four hundred who were physically able to march off and save their wives and children. And how humbling it is for those of us who have to stay at home, in a rehab, or other medical environment knowing that others seem to have moved on without us. Have you had a burning desire to pursue an active life, only to be kept down "by the ravine" because of your medical issues? If so, God’s Word has a beautiful message just for you.
You Will Share in the Victory
The four hundred able-bodied men pursued the Amalekites and recovered their wives, children, and possessions, but they did not want to share the plunder. They judged the men whose fatigue kept them behind, and they wanted to withhold blessing from them.
"Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley....As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, 'Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.'
David replied, 'No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.' David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this" (1 Samuel 30:21-25).
The Lord does not punish us for our limitations. He sees our hearts and knows how desperately we would like to join those who can actively participate in ministry, family outings, or other activities. David recognized that their success did not depend on the presence of all his men, it depended on the presence of the Lord. God shows up and is mighty to battle for us when we are unable. We will certainly share in plunder of the victories the Lord wins for us.
You Still Have a Role to Play
David pointed out that the exhausted men who stayed by the ravine had a role to play in their victory. You see, carrying the supplies would have slowed down the rescue operation. When the men were too exhausted to continue onward, they did not stay back and sacrifice their positions as mighty warriors. They took an active role in the victory by staying with the supplies.
"The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike" (1 Samuel 30:24).
Almost fourteen years ago, debilitating health issues caused me to become mostly homebound. I was desolate. The life I used to lead—active in my children's school, taking on ministry roles in church, and being a fun-loving wife and mother—quickly disappeared along with my health. On a good day, I was able to use my walker to walk to my floral rocking chair. There I would have my quiet time, pray, and read the Bible.
After a few months, I finally realized what David quickly recognized about his exhausted men.
God enabled me to stay with the supplies. I had the blessing of vast amounts of time to read the Bible! I could garner ever bit of wisdom and knowledge to pass along to others who suffered. Staying "with the supplies" actually supplied my life with purpose, joy, and meaning.
Eventually I started writing down the lessons the Lord taught me and the Scriptures that helped me battle my health issues. My devotional Incurable Faith: 120 Devotions of Lasting Hope for Lingering Health Issues equips and encourages others who are sidelined by suffering.
Staying with the supplies is difficult for someone who loves to be active. Perhaps you know that from your own experience. But being able to serve the Lord despite my limitations has been one of the most blessed miracles of my life. Ask the Lord how to use the time, abilities, and opportunities that He graciously provides. Perhaps you can pray for those who are on more “active” missions. Maybe you can write letters or emails to encourage someone. You will always have a role to fulfill in the body of Christ.
God Has Compassion for You
"As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.” (1 Samuel 30:21-22).
David did not berate or chide the tired warriors upon his victorious return with their families and livestock. Does this surprise you? It surprised me! I had expected David to reprimand those who had stayed behind. Instead, his first response was to ask them how they were doing. David showed compassion because he was a godly leader and a man after God's own heart.
If you have ever had a family member, friend, or employer show annoyance or belittle you for being too sick to meet their requests, then you know the relief these mighty men must have felt. Their leader's response to their limitations showed kindness and concern. David never questioned their loyalty. He knew that they would have continued the pursuit if they were able. The only people in this story who wanted to punish the exhausted men for their limitations were labelled, "evil men and troublemakers." Punishment and judgment are not part of God's plan for His people whose hearts are eager but whose bodies have failed them.
You Can Still Thrive
There will always be troublemakers who want to judge harshly and heap punishment atop our pain. We do not owe these people any explanation or excuse. We only owe them mercy. With humble hearts, recognizing that God's grace is an undeserved blessing, we can offer them the kindness and mercy that we ourselves have received.
God willing, one day we will rise up out of our health issues, leave our ravines, and join the active lives we used to lead. But if our lot is to remain by the "ravine," then we can thrive by faithfully remaining with the supplies, supporting all of God's people, and eagerly awaiting our Leader to return with His reward.
Ponder: Have you ever felt that you disappoint God and others when you are unable to participate in your church or family life because of your health issues? How has this passage changed your viewpoint? What are some ways you could "stay with the supplies" and participate in your calling despite your condition?
I'd love to hear your comments!
*Scripture is NIV. Words in bold are only for emphasis.
