Praying for Revival

The previous generation sometimes talks about “the good old days” as if everything was perfect back then and totally unacceptable now. I’ve never done that. Perhaps it is my tendency to remember the negative of life, but I remember those “good old days” had their share of misery and trials.

The writer of these devotionals on the church looks at the early church and compares today’s church in an unfavorable light. In trying to be more objective, I notice church problems too, yet no matter the era, the church is filled with people who are battling sin, and that means people with problems. Besides, the Bible says Jesus is building His church; I hesitate to be critical of what He is doing.

Yet the writer does have a point. Many of today’s congregations seem to be asleep, oblivious, stuck in their ways, disunited, weak, declining, and a host of other negative descriptions. We are supposed to be united as members of God’s family, standing strongly on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself being our cornerstone. In Him, the whole church is supposed to be joined together and becoming a holy place in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19–21)

I’m blessed to be in a local church that is alive and well, but not all of them are like that. In fact, in North America at the least, nonbelievers have lost respect for the church, or at least for what they call “organized religion.” They say, “God is dead” and the same thing about His church.

Individual spiritual lives are like that too. We begin our journey with God filled with vibrancy and excited hope. As we draw closer to Christ, we begin to be more aware of our sin, sin we never noticed before. Then the battle with it begins. For many, we become discouraged with ourselves, even with God and with other Christians. With this happening to individual members, little wonder it also happens to congregations.

Also, the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, and that we are also to walk by faith, trusting Christ for everything. However, the human default is trusting in ourselves. If I do that, not only do I make an idol out of me, I become proud when I succeed and discouraged when I fail. My eyes are off Christ and on my performance. I compare myself with others to measure how I’m doing, am threatened by those “more spiritual.” This adds to that downward spiral. Without diligence in spiritual disciplines and the power of the Holy Spirit, I will hit a low spot and am apt to take other Christians with me.

All this is the reason for the exhortations in the New Testament. God uses strong language to tell His people what they must do, such as, “Prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13–16)

Yet Christians fail. We could say “The devil made me do it.” We could speak about our weakness and gullibility. We could even excuse ourselves with “Life is too hard” or “I am just so busy making a living.” Excuses don’t cut it, so what is the remedy?

David knew. He was a good king, a “man after God’s own heart,” but he fell into sin. He didn’t make excuses, but confessed his sin (read the whole psalm). Then he asked God to fix it, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” (Psalm 51:10–15)

Notice that David knew the result of God’s cleansing power. He would be restored to joy, teaching sinners about God and praising Him —activities of a healthy spiritual person and a healthy spiritual church.

Churches who have stumbled into a slump need to confess as David did. We need to say to God, “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:4–6)

The Lord is faithful. He says, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Renewal or revival is an intensified version of the normal work done by the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. Through the years, the church’s effectiveness has gone up and down, down through unconfessed sin, but up through personal and corporate revival. It is always the right time for another one.

Climbing higher . . .

Someone once said to me that it must be easier to be a Christian as I get older. My first impulse was to give him a swat on the side of the head, proving that I still have some growing to do!

There is no coasting in the Christian life and there also is no retirement. God sets before me a goal. I am to press on toward that goal. If I stop, I am in a state of disobedience.

This morning I was wondering about fatigue and feeling listless. The word retirement may have come to mind. “Tired” definitely did. Spurgeon’s devotional didn’t address my lethargy, but Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest) hit the bull’s eye. He used this verse to tell me what I already knew:

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4)

God’s Word says the same thing in other places. The goal is perfection, fully like Jesus Christ. I know I am not there yet.

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Chambers says that I can be all right in general but careless, even unkept or slovenly in some areas. He says this isn’t so much about sin as it is about “the remnants of the carnal life” adding that such slovenliness is an insult to the Holy Spirit. I don’t agree about this not being sin, but do agree that a lax attitude is an insult to God.

Nothing should be done in a careless way, whether it is eating and drinking, or how I worship God. My relationship to Him must be right, but also the external expression of that relationship. For instance, I’ve noticed how easy it is for God’s people to bring to the church items that they have replaced at home. Old sofas or outdated decor is offered to God. Is this one example of a slovenly and carnal expression of worship? Doesn’t He deserve the best that we have?

What about my attitude when I woke up this morning? I wanted to stay in bed, felt grumpy, and had little joy in my heart or any desire to get up and prepare for church. If I stay this way and go anyway, is this not another example of a carnal way of worship?

Chambers says, and I agree, that God will let nothing escape. Every detail of my life is under His scrutiny. If I do not learn how to be like Jesus in one area, He will bring me back to the same point over and over again until I learn the lesson. He has a goal for me and will not stop until the finished product rolls off the assembly line.

Those carnal areas show up in old age. If I like personal comfort, that will come out when my bones ache in the morning. If I am lazy, that will show up at the end of the day when I turn on the television instead of finishing a chore He has given me. If I like to compete and win over others, it will show up every time someone cuts me off in traffic even though I am driving the speed limit.

Growing older does not put God’s people at the top of a playground slide. It is more like standing at the bottom of a multistory skyscraper and being handed a ladder. He sees many levels that I have yet to conquer. His desire for my perfection is not only picky, but relentless.

I love the days that God turns my heart toward the wonder of my redemption and salvation. Yesterday’s reminder of my eternal security was a deep blessing. I know that I stand complete in Christ and am accepted in the Beloved because of Him. Yet the Holy Spirit whispers again to me that I am still a work in progress and that I must let endurance work in me. I must watch out for that attitude that is content with mediocrity or that says “Oh, that will have to do for now.”

****************

God, forgive and cleanse the laxness from my heart. Your goal never changes. You tell me to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord my labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and “to not grow weary of doing good, for in due season I will reap, if I do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). You also say that “they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). I need all of this plus the fullness of Your Spirit to keep pressing on toward the goal.

God’s remedy for health

A doctor wrote a book called “None of these Diseases” using an Old Testament verse and his knowledge of medicine. In it he affirmed the relationship between a happy, calm spirit and a healthy body. He said that many, if not all of our physical problems are caused by undue stress.

I’ve also heard that if someone is ill, a relaxed and happy attitude leads to healing much faster than worry. This tells me that for my own well-being, I need to relax and rest in God. If I trust Him implicitly, regardless of the circumstances, it will be easier on my body. 

They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Preacher and author D. L. Moody said there are three kinds of faith a Christian can have: a struggling faith, a clinging faith, or a resting faith. In the above prescription Isaiah uses “wait” instead of “rest” but it means the same thing. Renewed strength is about being at rest as I trust the Lord. It goes beyond that feeling of well-being when life is uncomplicated, even beyond the good feeling of a spiritual high. Waiting on the Lord and resting in Him is an attitude of the heart where I am relaxed and comfortable all the time because I know God loves me and is in control of all aspects of life. He cares for me no matter what, so I do not need to be stressed.

My mother had a saying while I was growing up that usually referred to the weather: “We must need this or we wouldn’t be getting it.” God has used that saying in combination with His Word to help me see that whatever comes my way has a purpose. Because He loves me, I need this and God will use it for my good. I don’t need to fret or be anxious about anything. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

God wants me to be like Jesus and while Jesus sweat drops of blood before going to the cross, I cannot imagine Him pacing the floor over other circumstances in His life, or wringing His hands when people resisted Him or rejected His life-giving message. Jesus was not a worrier. 

. . . . Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)

The secret to resting in the care of God is knowing that God is just and will do what is right. If I doubt that, I will struggle. If I think He will give me more than I can handle, I might cling to Him in desperation. But knowing who He is and that He wants godliness for me makes it much easier to rest in Him. It also is good for my health. Even though age takes its toll, my doctor tells me that I’m her “most boring patient.”

***************

God, I’m so thankful that You are who You are — and that You have revealed Yourself to me and given me faith to trust You, to even rest in Your care. So often my only anxiety is that others will also know You and be able to live at rest in this blessed and wonderful truth.
    Once my hands were always trying,
    Trying hard to do my best;
    Now my heart is sweetly trusting,
    And my soul is all at rest.
    —A. B. Simpson

To Live is Christ — having my thirst quenched

Yesterday was Grey Cup day in Canada, the final football game between an eastern and western team. We have a small group over, most of whom are not big football fans. This tradition is quasi-potluck with more food than anyone needs, and lots of laughter which we all need.

Making sure the plates and coffee cups were filled and the meal was ready for halftime, I didn’t get much to eat or drink myself. A handful of munchies and a glass of punch perhaps, but by the time everyone left and I was putting dishes in the dishwasher, I was very thirsty. My devotional verses came to mind, 

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1–2)

Actually, I thought of another verse before that: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

The next few minutes were not a surprise, but so much like God. I had been moving like a robot, wanting to have the kitchen clear for morning, but when I began thinking of waiting on the Lord, of being thirsty for Him, songs started coming into my mind. I began smiling and the intense weariness and thirst dropped away. I finished with delight instead of that drop-dead “I never want to do this again for a long time” fatigue.

Before that, the last couple to leave lingered and we talked about how God works and the immensity of His power. One person said that Christians do not dwell enough on the holiness of God, the great gap between who and what He is compared to our smallness, nor the incredible breadth of His creative ability. The conversation was almost too lofty for my small mind, a challenge for a fatigued brain, yet so comforting.

Without noticing, I had become spiritual tired too. Physical fatigue is easier to notice. Isaiah might have been talking about both, but the psalmist was certainly speaking of a deep need for God, not for just rest. For me, that thirst happens when I have been drained after a “high” day of service and worship.

Yesterday was also Sunday and a high day. It started with rich devotions, then I taught a class on the will of God concerning suffering. He blessed me in that class as I watched the “lights come on” in the faces of those who studied and discussed this unpopular topic.

After that, a man who serves God in South America spoke to us about how our concept of God affects the way we serve Him. It was emotional and deep. We sang at the end, our hearts stirred to worship by what we had experienced. After, several people told us that the preacher gave this message just for them (I thought it was just for me) and they were blessed. My hubby was blessed and our pastor expressed how the missionary’s words had touched his heart.

This was truly another super Sunday in our lives, not counting the sporting event and a gathering with friends that would top it off. It is Sunday’s like these that help me understand why many pastors take Monday as their day off. They are exhausted physically, emotionally, and perhaps spiritually.

This kind of fatigue has only one remedy. This thirst for God can be satisfied only by spending time with God, listening to Him and waiting on Him. I’m not sure how I will spend the rest of this day, but right now I am looking forward to being spiritually renewed by a long chat and some closeness with my favorite Person.

Photo credit

To Live is Christ — waiting . . .

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength . . .”  a song and part of a verse from Isaiah that God proves to me repeatedly. Sometimes it is not sleep that I need, but to spend some time waiting.

Yesterday was a superb day. I woke up too early, couldn’t go back to sleep, so had a bath and got dressed. Then I waited on the Lord, that is, I spent time in prayer. I complained for a while. Then I confessed my complaining. I also talked to Him about the struggles I’d been having. I told Him that I thought the devil was after me and needed some fighting words.

He gave them to me. I prayed them loudly back to Him. After some thanksgiving and even a song, the only less than blissful event during the remainder of the day was a recorded call from a telemarketer.

My verses for today come from the old King James Bible, the one that I read for many years after Christ came into my life. These are precious words too, and an appropriate follow-up to yesterday.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3–5)

Jerusalem is situated on a hill. When the people came to the temple, they ascended that hill and worshiped in the temple, the holy place of God. This was not a place for sin-filled hearts. God instructed them to make sure they had confessed their sin and made the proper sacrifices before they went to worship.

I cannot worship or even function if there is unconfessed sin in my life. While I’m not out robbing banks or slashing tires, sin still can make me unable to ascend the hill into God’s presence. They might seem “little” like whining (as mentioned already), or failing to trust God or believe in His goodness. I can lose heart over imagined slights. I can also take on a load that is not mine, or keep myself from obedience by doing “busy work.”

These may not seem like sins to other people. Nevertheless, God knows — and I know too — when some sin dirties my hands or muddies my heart. Vain activities might be ordinary events for others, but if God wants me doing something else, for me they are sinful. This includes watching television, playing computer games, or spending too much time on Facebook.

The last one is more blatant; swearing deceitfully. This sin is about making promises known to be false, or taking an oath that is not based on truth. I’ve never been good at telling lies, so this one is less of a temptation.

The bottom line is that I want to be able to stand in the presence of God with my sins confessed. I want a pure heart. As Jesus said, the pure in heart shall see God. These verses say that those who keep their lives clean will receive His blessing and His righteousness. That is what waiting on the Lord is all about — and His grace is definitely worth the wait.

To Live is Christ — renewed day by day

Sometimes fatigue is not about a lack of sleep. Sometimes I feel worn out from the same old, same old. Sometimes I’ve been working on a project that seems to have no end. Sometimes I’ve prayed for an issue for years and seen no answer. Sometimes I’m tired and have no clue why I feel so blah.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Yesterday morning, my usual prayer time took an unexpected turn. God showed me something about my way of thinking that was not pleasing to Him. It was an assumption, a false idea that I’d had concerning a long-ago life circumstance. I’d unconsciously carried this notion without realizing its significance to my well-being.

When He brought this to mind, I could see that it was not a biblical way to think, so confessed it. I’ve learned that is the only way to get rid of anything that does not please God. Then He reminded me of how I should be thinking, which was more good news. At that point, I began to feel lighter, more energetic. I had no idea that one negative thought carried about for a long time could rob me of energy.

Later in the day, He used another situation to show me another energy thief. Our granddaughter came over to review a quilt I am making for her. She was so excited, taking pictures and emailing them to her friends. That in itself was a boost, but He had more to show me.

While she was here, she said, “Grandma, I want you to make in advance quilts for the children I plan to have.” (She is 19.) When asked how many, she said she would like four, three boys and a girl. But of course the quilts could not be pink and blue, but generic baby quilts. She is totally nontraditional.

After that, she said, “And I want four more quilts too, for when they are grown up.”

Suddenly I felt as if I were 10-20 years younger. I’d waited on the Lord and He was renewing my strength because — without realizing it —  I was letting my age make me feel old, and tired, and worn out.

My dad used to say that age is relative. He said, “A two-year-old can be a horse, or a man, or an egg.”

He was right. Thinking young changes a person’s energy levels. God used my granddaughter to give me encouragement. I might not live long enough to make those eight quilts, but just having her ask me to do it — with the wonderful confidence of youth — renewed my strength!

Thank You, Lord. You know how much of a ‘duh’ I can be, yet You are always incredibly gracious and full of surprises.

To Live is Christ — wait and be renewed

Yesterday for my devotions I was supposed to switch to a new passage, but didn’t open the guide and posted more thoughts on the one I’d been reading the day before. Now I realize how perfect today’s reading is for both yesterday and the way that I feel today. It is a favorite verse.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

The devotional book paraphrases this verse without using the eagle image, but I like it too. It says,

God shares His strength with those who trust completely in Him and are willing to hold on until His timing is right. Their trust in the Lord takes them higher than they ever dreamed, farther than they could ever go on their own, and gives them the energy to keep going even though ordinarily they wouldn’t be strong enough to stand.

Waiting on God means to look for Him, to expect Him, to linger rather than moving on without Him. Instead of struggling to regain energy, He bids me to be still before Him and expect His help. He has a way of renewing strength that is unlike even a ten-hour sleep.

The eagle image makes sense to me and to anyone who has seen an eagle. There is power in those wings. In Alaska, we watched them soar above the inlet of the Kenai River. Even in severe winds, their wings rule the air. This reminds me that God’s energy can face all obstacles and still keep going.

Isaiah also alludes to a runner that is in good shape, able to go the distance without falling to exhaustion. This speaks of the short tasks that require a super burst of speed or energy. He also might be thinking of a hiker who covers miles and miles without getting tired. That reminds me of those longer assignments or trials where perseverance is needed.

These images describe the strength that God gives those who rely on Him. It goes beyond physical strength, even beyond the boost that adrenalin gives. After the task is done, physical fatigue can set in, but for the time that energy is needed, God supplies both physical and spiritual vigor.

The word that fits me this past couple of days is “renew” for that is what I needed and what God is doing for me. I had a battle with A-fib and even though it was due to my lack of caution, God still renewed my strength. He does not have me flying high (probably because I don’t need to), but I am going through my days without exhaustion. My heartbeat is back to normal, and I’m walking without getting weary. Because of this promise, I can gladly wait for His direction regarding each decision and task that faces me. I know that whatever He wants me to do, He will supply what I need to do it. For that, I praise Him.

To Live is Christ — Resting in Him in fatigue and aging

After nearly a week of not getting enough sleep, I am not happy to identify with some words in the verses I’m studying, words like wither and falls away . . . 

“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24–25)

A young person may not appreciate the analogy in these verses. When a youth, the idea of fading and withering was not on my mind. I didn’t think about death or dying, never mind aging. But contrasted with the Word of God and put in this context, I’m face to face with a fact of life. I cannot endure what I once thought nothing of. I cannot stay up late and get up early. I cannot expect the bloom of youth to never fade.

Last week I was talking with my granddaughter on Skype (she is on the other side of the world). I told her that I was having trouble getting to sleep at night, although I am exhausted. She said, “Grandma, I was just reading about that. When you get older, your sleep patterns change. You are overtired. You need to start taking a nap every day.”

She blessed my heart with her wisdom, but I hate that “nap” word. All my life I’ve seldom taken a rest during the day because it seems to make me wider awake at night and begins a vicious circle. Also, I’ve too much on my mind. When I try to turn off my body for a few minutes, my head will not cooperate. Nevertheless, I need to give napping a try. At this rate, I’ll not have trouble falling asleep. It is 9:00 a.m. and I’m about to snooze at my keyboard.

As for the rest of this passage, I’m blessed every time I read it. My life changes constantly. The world we live in changes constantly. Ideas about how to live, including everything from diet, exercise, medications, raising children, gardening, you name it — all change continually. I remember someone asking my mother if she wanted an egg for breakfast. Mom replied, “I don’t know, are eggs ‘in’ this year?”

The Word of God doesn’t stand on fads or changing fancies. It stands forever. It is truth for the ages, a solid foundation for my life. It withstands all attacks and has changed the lives of those who read it. I get gray and faded, but it is new every morning, with fresh counsel each day.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Along with this, the Bible says much about getting older. The word “retirement” is not in it. Older people are valuable and useful assets in the kingdom of God. He promises to give us what we need, young or old, and throughout life. As for aging, 2 Corinthians 4:14–18 also comforts me concerning this sense of fading away. 

Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus. . . . Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Each day, God uses His Word to give me a sense of spiritual renewal, even when my body craves sleep or I feel old and tired. This passage goes on to remind me that my “light affliction is but for a moment, and working for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while I do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I personalized these verses because the Holy Spirit does the same. He makes me aware that God is speaking to me, bidding me to rest in Jesus, taking up His “light burden” and finding rest for my soul, but also to wait on Him and again experience His faithfulness to renew my strength (Isaiah 40:31) and to minister to me in very practical ways. This life, after all, is temporary; a better life is coming.

Meanwhile, I need to remember this . . . “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2) and go take a nap.

Image credit

To Live is Christ — waiting before flying

As I get older, my drive has not decreased, but my energy levels often take a dip. The projects pile up because I am tired and want to just sit rather than do anything. Today’s devotional verses include this fact of life.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:22–25)

Sometimes it helps me to grasp the gist of a passage by writing it in my own words. While this may not be a proper exegesis, this is what it says to me this morning. “Now that you are a Christian and know the cleansing power of loving others, keep it up. You have the life of Christ that comes through the Word of God. Remember that your own life will wither and fade, but the Word of God lives forever, and it is this Word that was preached to you and has changed your life.”

I feel a mild rebuke in these words. While being tired and needing sleep is often legitimate, I could use fatigue as an excuse for disobeying God. The actions needed to love others sometimes appear to be much for me and I could opt out.

Yet as I read what Peter says, the hint is there that I have been given a life that is from an incorruptible source. In other words, that catalyst for my spiritual life is God’s Word and it does not get old, not the Book and not the living Word which is Jesus Christ.

With Jesus living in me, I can claim the “rest” that He promises to the weary, but I can also claim His eternal life, which is part of the package. In fact, He is my life. Galatians 2:20 says,

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Nevertheless, this does not deny fatigue. The Bible also says, 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us . . . therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4: 7, 16)

When God has a task for me (and not all things that get on my to-do list necessarily fit that category), I can rely on Him to give me what I need to do that task, including wisdom, direction, and energy. If I’m overtired, could it be that some stuff I’ve been doing is not at His direction? Maybe.

To apply this, I need to make sure I’m following His leading and not taking on things that are outside His will. I also need to rely on Him for the resources to do what He gives me. I might be tired, but “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

I might need more sleep, but I might also need some lessons on waiting.