Words for the weary

Jun 23, 2021
Category: Blog Post

‘The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.’ (Isaiah 50:4)

The right words at the right time can work wonders. In 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah at the end of his rope: exhausted, disillusioned, even suicidal. And God meets Elijah in his weariness and finds a way to sustain him. He lets Elijah rest, feeds him, then speaks to him in a gentle whisper. In the gentle whisper are encouragement and direction which revive Elijah and prepare him for what is to come.

God’s whisper sustains us, too. And we want to help sustain others. We want God to speak his words, gentle but authoritative, through us.

Our partners are surrounded by weary people: parents of disabled children, exhausted from constantly caring for them and fighting to get the support they need; children on the streets, who live every day at risk of attack and wondering where their next meal will come from; families in remote communities, where food supplies are precarious and malnutrition always lurks in the shadows.

But the right words at the right time make a difference. Understanding and clear advice can encourage parents with disabled children. Acceptance, offers of support and simply asking the right questions often mean a lot to street-living children. And simple, practical advice on agriculture and nutrition can transform families’ food security. These words (and actions) sustain the weary.

It’s an exciting time for BCT. We’re adding new titles to our Transformation Resources and seeing them being used by increasing numbers of people. Our partners’ training of church and community leaders is reaching more and more communities. LVLE is directly reaching and supporting many street-living children. And, after a lot of patient preparation, SCWA is seeing important events taking place, offering opportunities to advise and influence people in several different countries. But we’re not taking these opportunities lightly. We’re keenly aware that we have a responsibility to speak and act wisely and with God’s purpose.

We’re grateful to God for these opportunities; after all, he has opened these doors for us. And as pursue these opportunities, we are keeping our eyes and ears open for God’s leading. Our prayer echoes these words from Isaiah: may we have instructed tongues, speak only the words God gives us, and encourage and refresh our hearers. Our message may at times be challenging but, above all, we want to strengthen our brothers and sisters to reach, serve and protect vulnerable children.

Please pray for us and our partners: that we will indeed know the word that sustains the weary. In return, we pray for you: that today, you will know God’s words, whispered into your ear, so that you can help sustain the weary people around you.

 

(Image credit: pisauikan from Pixabay)

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