Judges 8:4 “When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit.”
In looking at Judges 8:4 we have Gideon doing what God had called him to do as he as his 300 men were in pursuit of the Midianites. In recounting their actions, the writer describes their character at this crucial moment: “They were exhausted but still in pursuit.” “EXHAUSTED” yet “STILL IN PURSUIT.” The word and the words deserve our full attention. The word EXHAUSTED and the phrase BUT STILL IN PURSUIT should challenge us as well as teach us about what it takes to truly be successful. Life is difficult. Work is hard. Our days are full, overflowing with demand. The pressure to succeed at work, home, on a team, and/or ministry is at times unbearable. Our lives can easily be described as EXHAUSTING. There are times we end the day EXHAUSTED and then start the next day EXHAUSTED. And then there come those moments of wanting to QUIT.
Yet we look at Judges 8:4 and we see 300 men who, while EXHAUSTED, ENDURED. That is how I sum up “BUT STILL IN PURSUIT.” They had the character quality of ENDURANCE! While being EXHAUSTED, tired and worn out, completely drained, they were ENDURING. Though EXHAUSTED, they were men of ENDURANCE.
We are called to ENDURE.
2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Read Paul’s testimony: 1 Corinthians 4:12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
What is EXHAUSTING you today? Is it something with your family? Is it something at work? Is it something with your health? Maybe it is something to do with your finances. I encourage you to NOT QUIT. Keep your eyes on JESUS! And may your testimony be like that of Gideon’s 300 who, while EXHAUSTED, ENDURED.
Powerful quote on exhaustion: “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” Vince Lombardi
Continue Strong, running the race with ENDURANCE
And remember to DATE The Word