Fainting Hearts

"He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Luke 18: 1)

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6: 9)

True believers will have "fainting spells" at times in their spiritual lives. But, by the grace and power of God, they will surely be "revived." Hypocritical believers will faint and never revive. When true believers "faint," the Holy Spirit will apply the "smelling salt" and the saint will be revived. Promised the Lord to his believing people:

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 29-31)

To what is the perseverence of the believer to be ascribed? What is the cause of his keeping a strong and courageous heart and a firm and resillient faith? It is to the mercy of God. To those who "wait upon the Lord," who look to him for grace and power in life, they will surely be given sufficiency to endure the journey. Said Paul - "Our sufficiency is of God." (II Corinthians 3: 5) He also wrote:

"Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (II Corinthians 4: 14-16)

It is solely owing to the power and grace of God that any professing believer endures the toil and journey of life, obtaining victory over sin. "For this cause," and for it only, do we persevere and find strength not to faint in heart, but to keep up a strong resolve to continue no matter what the hurdle.

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." (Proverbs 24: 10)

But, the strength of the true believer is not small, for his strength comes from the Lord. Christ is the strength of the believer. He is the "Power of God" in the life of the Christian. (I Corinthians 1: 30)

Yes, Christians often mutter - "I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest." (Jeremiah 45: 3) They confess - "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27: 13) What is it that sustains the believer? It is the strength of his faith in the Lord, the firm belief that God will do good to those who trust in him and his grace and mercy in Jesus.

Christians are pointed to the life of Christ for encouragement.

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9: 36)

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12: 3)

These two passages comfort the wayworn traveller by pointing him to the one who is watching over them, who sees their needs, and who has promised to meet them. It is part of the work of Jesus as Shepherd and Caretaker of his people to give them strength of mind, fortitude, and perseverence. They need strength of faith and firm resolve and this he gives graciously to them. To these people the Lord can be heard to say:

"And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." (Revelation 2: 3)

Friend, do you find youself "fainting in the day of adversity"? Do you see yourself unable to go the journey? Then I beg you to look to Christ for this strength and resolve. If we expect to "reap," we must have strength not to faint in our hearts and minds.