Weary Yet Pursuing

Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing. And he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are weary, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

Judges 8.4-5 NASB

Gideon was a man with a mission. He was fully intent on the capture of “Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” Nothing could deter him. With total abandon, this judge of Israel would not rest until the leaders of Midian were brought to justice.

Yet rest he must. His energy had limits. Even if he could go on, Gideon had 300 troops to think of. These men were absolutely exhausted. They were invested in the mission. Gideon’s warriors wanted Zebah and Zalmunna as badly as Gideon did, but they were tired and spent. Gideon and his soldiers were driven by a mission embedded in their corporate soul, but they were also at the end of their physical strength. 

The Bible describes Gideon’s experience as “weary yet pursuing.” Have you ever fallen into bed entirely exhausted? You couldn’t even brush your teeth or put on your pajamas. You were so utterly fatigued you fell asleep before your fully clothed body hit the bed. Your mission was out of reach, your resources long-since depleted, and the pursuit of your dream beyond your capacity to perform. 

Gideon and his band of 300 were drained, but they would not quit. They had a job to do, a mission to complete.

Just like Gideon, 423 Communities has a job to do, a mission to complete, and an enemy to slay. Our enemy is the spirit of porneia. Together we must rise up with fierce indignation to drive our stones through the forehead of this detestable giant, then cut off its ugly head. If David can kill Goliath, you and I can kill porn and the industry supporting it, no matter how colossal the task or improbable our success may seem.

Pornography, in all its many forms, is an addictive, world-wide epidemic. It destroys countless numbers of lives, marriages, and families. Porn fuels the sex industry, including illegal activities such as prostitution, child pornography, and human trafficking. It's time to gather every ounce of our remaining energy to "save others, snatching them out of the fire" (Jude 23) of porneia.

Embody the spirit of Gideon. Capture his motivation and find the strength . . . “weary yet pursuing.”

Contributor: Dave S.