Articles
The Weak Days
For most people, the weekly calendar is arranged by five weekdays (Monday through Friday) and two weekend days (Saturday and Sunday). Typically, the five weekdays are thought of as working days, while the two weekend days are regarded as rest days. Monday through Friday you are supposed to be strong, but then, come the weekend, you can put your feet up and relax.
I heard someone recently mention “the weakdays.” At first, I thought they were talking about the days of the week. But then, I realized they were talking about those days when we feel like we aren’t going to make it. As part of the week, we often have weak days. We’re all tempted. And we all have those days when we succumb to temptation.
Consider the following verses:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
How do we handle weak days? Be sober. Be vigilant. Resist. Know that you’re not alone.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).
How do we deal with weak days? Submit. Resist. Draw near. Cleanse and purify. Lament. Mourn. Weep. Be humble.
Remember that Jesus also had days when he could have succumbed to temptation. I hesitate to say that Jesus had days when He was “weak” and yet, there is an aspect of Matthew 4 in which this point is being made. Interestingly, both of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ temptation emphasize that “He was hungry” (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2). In terms of His humanity, Jesus was in a weakened condition.
This is precisely when the tempter arrived on the scene. However, on this occasion of potential weakness, Jesus withstands. How? Because He knows the Scriptures (Matthew 4:4,8,12). Even more so, Jesus knows the God of Scripture. An aspect of Jesus’ temptation which is often missed is that each of the passages which Jesus quotes come from Deuteronomy. As God wanted to take care of Israel in the wilderness, so too, God will take care of Jesus in the wilderness.
As we travel through our own wilderness experiences of life, we should take comfort in knowing that, even on our weak days, God is there, and God will provide. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
