Running with the Footmen AND the Horses
Be Strong & do Great Exploits as We Leave the Footmen to Run with the Horses!
Jeremiah 12:5 says, "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?" The Lord was asking Jeremiah a simple question: if you can't stand while the going is easy, what do you think will happen when the going gets tough? What a good question! The answer: we cannot run with the horses if we cannot keep up with the footmen; we cannot stand in hard times if we cannot stand in easy times.
No matter what season we find ourselves in, peace or war, harmony or conflict, we must approach that season and endure in it through intimate relationship with Christ. Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13, "I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." It is in God, through relationship with Jesus Christ, that we can prosper, no matter what season we find ourselves in.
The Lord needs to be able to trust us, no matter what is going on in our lives. He needs to trust that we are immersing ourselves in His Presence through worship, prayer, and Bible study whether we are on the mountain or in the valley. We tend to ease up on the "God stuff" when things are going well and because of this, we find that we cannot kick it into high gear when things begin to hit the fan. It's time to kick it into high gear and stay there no matter what! It's time to be found trustworthy in this race we call life so that our presence on this earth makes an impact for the glory of God!
Daniel 11:32-33 says, "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many..." God wants us to be the people that Know Him and the people that Understand so that we can do great things in His name and for His glory AND so that we can instruct others to do the same!
What does it mean to know God? It means to learn to know Him. How do you learn someone? You spend time with them, observing them. It means to know by experience. What experiences have we had with God that can show us some truths about Him that are backed up in His Word. We know God through learning about Him and experiencing Him.
What does it mean to be strong? A strong person is courageous enough to prevail in a matter. They are firm and resolute. The word strong also mean "to be sore" which makes sense if you look at the word in the natural. We become strong when we work out, and as we work new muscles, they become sore (no pain no gain). The word strong also means to give strength and to encourage. Dr. Patrician Bailey Jones has this saying: "free people free people." I love that saying and it applies here. Just as "free people free people" strong people strengthen people!
Exploits are spirited or heroic acts. They are striking which means to be sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect. If something is striking, it is not easily missed.
To understand is to be wise. It also means to prosper. Those who are wise and prosperous can teach. Can you be wise and not be prosperous (not just talking about money)? I don't think so because to have wisdom means to walk in the knowledge or experience you already have.
My prayer for all of us, including myself is this: Father, we want to do the exploits, the greater work that you have called us to. We want to cultivate an atmosphere of Your presence in our minds, hearts, spirits, homes, jobs and everywhere we set our feet so that when the time comes for us to leave the footmen and run with the horses, we don't hesitate. We want to run with the horses Lord! We want to be a people that understand You and Your ways so that we can teach and disciple nations! Father, we also pray that you help us to remember that our ability to run with the horses, to be strong and to great exploits, to be people of understanding so that we may instruct many, is not based in any way on how much we have or don't have materially in this life, but is based solely on our relationship with You! Whatever You call us to accomplish, You provide the provision for us to accomplish it so we declare now that we trust You! Like Paul, we declare that with little or with much, whether full or hungry, whether empty handed or hands full, we can do ALL THINGS through You!