Richard Roberts
In Robert Frost’s famous poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he tells about a man whom some picture as an old country doctor making a house call far out in the country after a full day’s work.
Passing along the edge of the woods on that cold snowy night, he stopped a moment to enjoy the beauty and quiet he found there. Suddenly a wave of weariness swept over him, and he thought how wonderful it would be if he could just stay there and rest. But something on the inside made him continue on his way.
Some of the lines of the poem say,
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Sometimes when we’re tired and overworked, we feel like quitting and letting someone else carry the load. Perhaps that’s how Paul was feeling when he said, For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again (Philippians 1:23–26).
We all have “promises to keep” and “miles to go,” but God says His strength is available to us to keep every promise and to go every mile. As your days, He says, so shall your strength be (Deuteronomy 33:25).