Weary and Worn Out? Great News

Weary and worn out. A friend said to me this week, “If I look worn out, it is because I am.” I smiled, but I get it. Have you been there? Are you there now? If that describes you, then there is great news. If you know someone like that, you have great news to share as well.

 

Have You Read This Verse?

In the collection of proverbs, Agur son of Jakeh proclaims, “I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out” (Prov 30:1 ESV).

Does that sound like you? Can you fist bump Agur and agree? Or, are you too worn out to even fist bump?

You are not alone. Agur understands and provides us some help.

He continues:

Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered the wind in his fists?

Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Prov 30:4-5).

 

Our Almighty God

Agur asks five questions related our almighty God. These five questions are significant in that they focus our attention to the incredible and unique nature of God. He alone can ascend into heaven and then descend. God controls nature, as exhibited in the reference to gathering the wind in His fists. Where we can put water in a bottle or cup, God places the water in a garment of clouds around the earth. God made the areas of the world where you live and everything else too, even the most remote places. He established every square inch of the earth – and the universe too. His fifth question just reminds us that God does all these things exclusively and uniquely. The reference to His son may be a reference to the Messiah, possibly not. Though, from a New Testament perspective, of course our minds go to our wonderful Savior who is God incarnate.

 

What Do We Learn? The Good News

The reality is this: we cannot explain God’s work or even to hardly comprehend the nature / power / holiness of God. God’s incomparable nature leaves us in awe, especially when we compare it to our own personal limitations. The comparison leaves us speechless.

Agur continues with a very pointed reminder: “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Prov 30:5).

This incomparable and awesome God is also trustworthy. God’s Word proves true. The idea of proves here relates to the conclusion after a battery of tests or after a precious metal has been refined and purified. Think about this, my friend. After testing, God’s Word always proves pure or trustworthy. No defects. No flaws. Nothing false. Nothing misleading.

You can trust God’s Word even in the weariness of your soul because He is trustworthy. His Word proves faithful because God is faithful.

The good news continues. As a shield, God protects us. A shield then (and even today) is used to hide behind in order to shield us from something specific. God is that when, as the Proverb says, we take shelter in Him. When we put our trust in Him and rely upon Him, we get rest.

Weary friend, you can receive rest in the goodness of God.