Everyone gets tired of standing in one place; that’s why we find things on which to lean. Leaning takes the weight off—the pressure off—it’s a bit of resting without sitting down altogether. I read a story once where the main character remarked about his father’s strength, saying, “I don’t remember dad ever leaning on anything.” Sounds like a very independent fellow—and entirely fictional.
We all find ourselves leaning on something or someone at times. The song, “Lean On Me” is still such a hit in part because of the universal appeal: we all need somebody to lean on.
Now, of course what or who you are leaning on is very important. Lean on a rotten deck railing and you might find yourself on an episode of funniest home videos. We’ve all leaned on something that suddenly moved or gave way, so we learn to evaluate an object’s strength to support us before we go leaning on it.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells of a day when God’s people will “lean on the LORD” (Isaiah 10:20). In their past, Israel had leaned on some very unstable allies, but only to their own hurt. We can all relate to this lesson eventually: people will let you down. But true rest and security can always be found in the Lord. As the hymn says, “when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”
Do not despise your tiredness. Rather, may our need for rest remind us that we are creatures created by an untiring Creator. He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). We stand in His grace. We walk in the light of His presence. We run the race set before us. But sometimes we just need to lean on the Lord.
