What Happens When You Hand Jehovah...An Empty Tank?

[Timl1980]

I could tell something was wrong.

 

There is just something about a human when they are experiencing a deep pain that is all consuming...it SHOWS.

 

I dropped off some cheese to an elder in one of the congregations I sometimes visit...and right from the start...I could tell something was bothering him. Yes...he's an elder...but that doesn't mean he's immune to pain...in fact, they are usually more affected by pain than others...not because they are "better" or more "spiritual"...no, it's simply because they carry the weight of an entire congregation on their shoulders. 

 

These dear brothers know all the secret pains and aches of the congregations in which they serve...and they fight hard every day to struggle on, bearing the loads of themselves, their own families...and the rest of the sheep.

 

We carried the 17 cases of cheese into the hall and plopped them down on the table in the back room, then fell into a couple of chairs and spent the next hour or so just talking and getting the past few weeks off our chests. The conversation was a relief for both of us...and eventually...the elder just kinda squinted at me, made up his mind and then asked how I would deal with the following "hypothetical" situation.

 

Over the next ten minutes he laid out a situation which was so heart breaking, so unbelievably gut wrenching...I was left speechless, dumbfounded.

 

How can all of these precious brothers listen to all of this...much less figure out how to attempt to comfort those involved??

 

I had no answers...I won't even sit here and try to pretend I came up with some magical solution. My head was still spinning from the overload of information...from the raw ache that was beginning to form in the pit of my stomach as I realized what I already knew...this was a real situation...and just like that...a second elder arrived at the hall...and they thanked me for the cheese and got into the first elder's car to go attempt to try to comfort the family involved.

 

I left and continued about my route...and later that day...the elder called me and asked if I would like to know part of what was shared with this family who were facing an incredibly tough situation.

 

I said absolutely, of course...and THAT is what led me to sit down this evening and get this out on a post to share with all of you.

 

The following didn't come from these two elders...it came from their Circuit Overseer who took out a few moments of his time to join the family via zoom...and it was just so eye opening to me...so mind boggling...I couldn't wait to sit down and share it with all of you.

 

The verse? (Of course you knew there would be a verse involved😅)

 

Isaiah 40:31 "But those hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; They will walk and not tire out.”

 

How many times have I read this verse...heard it expounded upon...indeed, expounded upon it myself...and yet, STILL miss the main point??

 

It's not that I didn't understand the main point...but I didn't get it...not this way.

 

Why do I look at that verse...even NOW...and read it the wrong way? Why does my human heart DESIRE to see something that simply isn't true??

 

What am I talking about??

 

One word, friends: "Those hoping in Jehovah will REGAIN power."

 

Regain...such a simple stupid word...and yet...it STILL sounds like the power we "regain" CAME FROM US!!!

 

But it didn't...of course it didn't...it came from Jehovah!!

 

But how to prove that?

 

The Hebrew word chalaph means “to exchange” or “to change out.” It’s used, (in one sense), for changing clothes!!

 

The picture isn’t just topping up your energy...it quite literally means swapping your worn-out human strength...for Jehovah’s own strength!

 

What did this C.O. bring out, (in part), to this worn out family? (And the following is a direct quote):

 

"We often think we’re just getting a refill. But Isaiah is saying: you hand over your weakness, and Jehovah hands you His endurance. It’s a complete trade, not a recharge."

 

A trade…why is that simple idea so encouraging to me??

 

The C.O. said: "A refill gives you more of you. An exchange gives you more of Him...now let's see how Jehovah teaches us to stop "trying harder"...and start "trading up"!!"

 

And that's all I have for you tonight. 

 

So what happens when you hand Jehovah an empty tank?

 

He exchanges it for HIS strength...HIS power...and that is what allows us to carry on...even if it is...just for one more day.

[Dages]

In Japanese, it's translated as "receive again"

 

Other fun fact, it's the same verb in Job 29:20 about the bow being renewed, it "will keep shooting." as we translate.
Jehovah provides the ammo ! Infinite ammo !

Edited Friday at 06:12 AM by Dages