Proverbs 24

Chapter 24 It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!

10 “ If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

There is very little encouragement in this verse. It is a wagging finger in the face of one who is already cast down by the adversity they are facing. The Hebrew word translated “faint” in the King James translation give the idea of one who pulls back, backs off, and or refuses to stand up to the oppressor. The old timers would say they are “whipped dogs” who cower in fear and submission-surrendering rather than fighting!

In Hebrew, the phrase, “the day of adversity” is an idiom, a slang saying. We have many of them in our version of the English language, such as, ‘A lot of water has passed under the bridge” or “I haven’t seen you in ages!” The Hebrews understood this saying. To them “the day of adversity” was a way of describing the intensity of financial, physical, or spiritual attacks.

Think of it as a farmer who plants his fields in great hope and expectancy of the harvest that will come to his family. He watches over it, talks to it, and does all he can to ensure a bountiful harvest. But just as he is about to reap his harvest, just before his dreams are realized, a swarm of locust come and devour all his crops, and with it, his hopes and dreams! Now repeat this often enough and as God declares, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick!” After a while the farmer loses hope and loses the will to fight and believe in hope. He is the poster child for the Scripture “A wounded spirit, who can forbear?”

What medicine does God prescribe for the weak and sicken spirit? King David realized the symptoms and demanded of himself, “Why are you cast down? I will yet praise the Lord!” He would tell you to “Encourage yourself in the Lord!” He prayed, sought guidance and did as God directed. The healing may not be instant, it rarely is, but it is sure! Remind yourself of Who God is and what He has already done for you. Give thanks to Him often and pray in the Spirit frequently! Give God something to bless like a heart who declares, “Quit? Never!”

Rev. John WatfordLead Pastornbcornerstone.com