Isaiah 40:31 - Are You Soaring or Striving?
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) 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.
INTRODUCTION
David knew from experience what it meant
to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed
king at age 16, but didn't become king until he
was 30. During the interim, he was chased
through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. Later,
after becoming king, he was chased by his
rebellious son Absalom. David had to wait on God for
the fulfillment of his promise to reign.
Waiting on God is not easy. Often it
seems that he isn't answering our prayers or
doesn't understand the urgency of our situation.
That kind of thinking implies that God is not in
control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting
for. Isa.40:27-31 calls us to wait because often
God uses waiting to refresh, renew, and teach
us. Make good use of your waiting times by
discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.
[Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
I love to walk with my friends. Grabbing
a cup of coffee and heading down to the green
belt, the path by the Boise River, rejuvenates me.
We catch up on our kids. We discuss the
wildness of life, how just when we think we have it
all figured out, something else comes up. We
chat about our struggles and our triumphs.
Sometimes we talk about our dreams and what we are
trying to accomplish. The rhythm of being in step
with each other opens our hearts. It is
soul-refreshing.
As much as I love walking with friends,
I've recently started taking walks around my
neighborhood by myself. I even leave my dog, Flash, at
home. Walking by myself leaves room for
conversation with Jesus. As I loop my neighborhood, I
catch Him up on all that is going on in my life -
my hopes and fears, my struggles and triumphs.
I get a moment to breathe and recognize how He
is already at work in my life. I focus on
thanking Him for His grace and forgiveness. I praise
Him for His awesomeness. He brings to mind all
the ways He is changing my heart and ushering in
healing and hope.
The rhythm of being in step with Jesus
opens my heart to Him. It is soul-strengthening.
Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Faith Step: Take a walk around your
neighborhood and talk to Jesus. Share your heart with
Him. Invite His hope and healing to come in.
[Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Now when you can no longer be active, and
infirmities press upon you, all that God requires of you
is to trust Him. Commit the keeping of your
soul to Him as unto a faithful Creator. His
mercies are sure, His covenant is everlasting Let
your mind grasp the promises and hold to them. If
you cannot call to mind readily the rich
assurance contained in the precious promises, listen
to them from the lips of another. {RC 281}
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Isaiah 40:31 - Are You Soaring or Striving?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240412-0825.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210210-1052.html
John 15:5 - ABIDING IN JESUS.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230913-1109.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
