Judges 8:4

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"Faint, yet pursuing." Judges 8:4 .

A description of many a Christian heart. We shall be judged, not by the faintness, but by the pursuit. Not what the heart does, but what the heart would do, will be God's question. Sometimes we are so faint that we can only look in the right direction, but the direction being right, the look shall be regarded as equal to pursuit. There is a moral meaning in attitudes. Endeavours are often construed into actions. He who would give a cup of cold water to a disciple if he could, will be accounted as having done it. Men will be judged by what has been in their hearts; then the first will be last, and the last will be first. Allowance is made for faintness, for there is only One that fainteth not, neither is weary. God knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Men must not be too deeply discouraged because of their faintness, but must often look upon it as part of their very mortality. Even the apostle said the flesh was weak when the spirit was willing; but he knew that God would judge by the spirit, and not by the flesh. At the same time we must be severe in our judgment upon ourselves, lest we suppose that a pleasant dream, which imposes no sacrifice, should be enough as proof of our Christian fidelity. We must not assume faintness by easily giving way to discouragement. Against some faintness we can bravely struggle, and our very struggling may overcome it. Indolence must not be mistaken for this faintness. Selfish calculation must not be allowed to take its place. We must be true to ourselves in all these matters, or we cannot realise the Mewing that is promised. When a man tells lies to himself about his faintness, he will soon relinquish his pursuit. We can whisper where we cannot speak aloud. We may be able to hold out a hand when we cannot utter a tone. We can put large meaning into looks and postures. There is no mistaking an earnest man. Even his feebleness may be so used as to become an element of spiritual strength.