Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. "Faint, yet pursuing." Why are believers faint? They are so because of sin. Even the Christian is still considerably under its power. And often, through getting a clear view of his own corruption, he becomes desponding. He fears that the day of complete deliverance from sinning and from sin will never come. Then, springing from this great root of bitterness, many other things arise to produce faintness. Suffering is one of them. For religion does not free from suffering. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." And often, under his troubles, the believer gets sorely dispirited. His patience gives way; his fortitude fails; he loses heart. Another saddening thing is bereavement. Gideon's heart was sore because of the death of his brothers at Tabor, and many of his fellow Israelites were similarly distressed. The mourners we have always with us. Another cause of depression is worldly loss. The Israelites suffered much in this way. Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by bread. One other cause of faintness is anxiety about the future. Bunyan's Mr. Fearing has left behind him a very numerous family. But from the causes of faintness turn now to the things by the help of which the faint may continue pursuing. One of these remedies is repentance. Another cure for faintness is faith — a persistent trustful clinging to Christ, and to God in Him. When Gideon grasped the truth which the angel spake to him, that the Lord was with him as his strength, he became like another man. Another remedy is gratitude. God's gracious answer to his request for a succession of signs filled Gideon's heart with devout gratitude, which in turn was a rich solace to him in his grief. And so, still, if fainting hearts would but meditate more on God's kindnesses to them, they would be mightily strengthened to bear their trials. And here you have another cure for faintness — hope. Not Gideon's faith only, but also his hope springing from it, made him the mighty man of valour that he was. And still God's afflicted ones are saved by hope. Say, "I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more." And then, having so vowed, act accordingly. "Praise is comely." But more, this your praising of God will give you a still fuller mastery over your faintness. (William Miller.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. |
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