Running with horses

Today's sermon was really good at church today - lots to think about, and a good reminder for where I'm at these days.

The sermon was on Jeremiah 12:1-5, but the part that stuck out to me was verse 5a:

"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?"

The pastor explained that in ancient times, the opposing army would first send in thousands and thousands of footmen. These weren't the best trained, or the strongest soldiers, but the strategy was to overwhelm and tire the enemy with sheer numbers. Then, they would send in the trained, strong soldiers on horseback to attack and hopefully defeat the weakened opposition. So in essence, God is telling the Israelites - there's more coming, and you're getting weakened and worn out by mere footmen?

The challenge being, hold out against the footmen, the relatively minor (but numerous) everyday challenges, so that you can stand strong and have victory when the horses come. I feel like that's where my life has been lately - complaining about the footmen, because they are so numerous, and everywhere I look there is a minor but pressing need to take care of something. I can so easily get wearied by putting energy into trying to wipe them out, and focusing on the present dilemmas instead of maintaining sight of the bigger battle.

A good reminder for me, and I hope for you as well.