Fresh Hearts

"strengthening the souls of the disciples...." Acts 14:22

World War One had become a stalemate.  Neither side was winning and they were locked in horrible trench warfare.  The war had become a war of attrition, which is a slow grinding down process, until one side loses the will to fight or resist.  I am absolutely convinced through experience, that attrition is a favorite strategy of the enemy of our souls.  We all burden ourselves with a busy day to day grind which begins the attrition process.  Then the enemy or the world throws in who knows what....a physical ailment, an unexpected bill, your child's school project, a discouraging word, fearful news, a looming pay cut, a funny clunking noise from the car, or any number of things.  The daily toil can wear you down and weaken the soul.  The above words from Acts 14 describe Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the churches they had visited.  These shepherds knew that their disciples had been in tribulation and therefore needed their souls fortified.  I love J.B. Phillips' translation of the verse, he says, "they put fresh heart into the disciples."  I love the idea of the "fresh heart", because so often the daily onslaught leaves us disheartened, and unable to fight or resist.  God's desire is to strengthen our souls and make us stout of heart.  No doubt if Paul and Barnabas were passing through our town today they would look to put "fresh heart" into weary troops.  They would set our hearts right in reminding us that our battle is not a stalemate.  We have already won in Christ, the enemy is defeated and victory is assured.  The proper heavenly perspective is crucial.  If our eyes are fixed on the battle alone we will grow weary, but if we fix our hearts on the triumph of Jesus, we will be heartened.

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...."  Revelation 12:11