BEN F. VICK, JR.
If there was ever a time when one is tempted to “throw in the towel,” “hang it up,” or in just a plain word, quit, it would be now. Covid-19 has stretched many to the very limits. It has tested our love for each other and our faith in God. But I am reminded of the words of James: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2–4.)
However, what have we endured compared to the apostle Paul? Read 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28. Did you read it? Now, why are you complaining? A wise man said, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Prov. 24:10.)
Paul wrote to the Corinthian saints, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” (2 Cor. 4:1.) “We” here refers to the apostles. They were given the duty of being ambassadors of Christ. With this ministry came mercy. Paul had received mercy. To Timothy, he wrote, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Tim.1:12–16.)
This apostleship or ministry was placed upon Paul. The tremendous work of carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world was reason enough not to faint (2 Cor. 4:16). What was true of Paul, in principle, applies to every Christian. Our work or duty is so great; we cannot lose courage or be weary. We must press on to higher ground, keeping our eyes focused on the ultimate goal, heaven.
It is interesting to observe the word “faint” as found in various contexts. Jesus spoke a parable about the unjust judge for this purpose: “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1.) Could it be that we do not pray enough, and that’s the reason we grow weary?
I wonder why Paul encouraged the brethren, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9.)? Do you suppose some were growing weary of well-doing? He reminds his readers that in due season, when the time is right, we shall reap the benefits of having done well. That does not necessarily mean in this life. In the judgment scene, Jesus rewards those who did well, telling them, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40.)
In some of the closing lines of Paul’s second epistle to the Thessalonians, he encouraged them: "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.” (2 Thess. 3:13.) At times, we all need encouragement to keep on keeping on, not to grow weary. Anyone who has run in a race, especially a marathon or half-marathon, knows the value of encouragement. Usually, runners have a support group. There are also those along the way who encourage us. I remember several years ago running a half-marathon here in Indianapolis, and a little over halfway, someone from the side of the road called out, “Keep going, Ben.” That puzzled me because I could not figure out how the person knew my name. It was not until the next year when I was running that I realized that my name is on the tag given to me! Lol. Anyway, the encouragement helped me. Though I was going so slow that I had to speed up to stop, I kept going.
Then some grow weary because of the trials and tribulations of others. They have such compassionate hearts that they become discouraged when they see someone suffering. Some saints at Ephesus were feeling sorry for Paul in his trials. They may have been on the verge of quitting. Paul wrote, “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” (Eph.3:13.)
So brethren, do not let this Covid-19 and all connected with it, discourage us in our Christian lives. Let us turn the stumbling stones into stepping-stones to higher service. Let us faint not.