Weariness and Rest

Weariness is something that we all experience. I am weary as I write this. The Apostle Paul spoke of his own weariness:

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

II Corinthians 11:27

Even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was weary at times as he walked this earth:

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

John 4:6

It should be evident from the verses above that weariness in itself is not necessarily wrong or the result of weakness of faith. We are all weary at times. We need not be ashamed of our weariness when it is a natural consequence of life, nor should we look down upon others who are weary. Weariness affects even the strongest among us:

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

Isaiah 40:30

Although weariness can be a natural part of our lives

It can also be self-imposed

Laboring to find answers apart from God can bring weariness:

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

Isaiah 47:13

Some people are weary because they work hard at sin:

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jeremiah 9:5

We can be wearied when we don’t speak the truth as we should:

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Jeremiah 20:9

Relief from weariness comes from the Lord

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 40:31

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

Although we may be weary in some ways, we are not to be weary in others

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Proverbs 3:11

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12:3

We are to help and encourage others who are weary

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

II Samuel 17:27-29

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Isaiah 50:4