RENEWING YOUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

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.  (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

It is more than probable that these lines will be read by some who have lost heart. They are fainting beneath the long and arduous strain of life, and ready to give up in despair. It seems as though God has forgotten to be gracious, and in anger has shut up His tender mercies. To all such, Isaiah says: God is not tired: you think He is because you are. Wait upon the Lord, and change your strength.

The solution is not found in altering your environment, but altering your courage, your power of endurance, your assurance of victory; then, notwithstanding every hindrance and difficulty, you will mount up on wings like eagles, you will run without being weary, you will walk without being faint.

Here is the inevitable order. Mounting up--running--walking! It seems to be referring to walking in the beginnings of our religious experience; then the walk breaks into a run; and finally the leaping on wings into the sky, like the eagle a black speck against the blue! But experience confirms the prophetic order. Isaiah is right! We mount, we run, we walk!

Here is the promise of hope. They that wait on the Lord shall change their strength." Too often in the past we have depended on the stimulus of services, sermons, conventions which have made the embers glow again on the heart's altar. We have gone back to our homes, to our daily calling, with a new zeal and impulse that has lasted for weeks or months. Then we have found ourselves slipping again; we have run and got weary; we have walked and become faint.

If that is your situation, here’s the solution; if you would once more mount up and run and walk, you must change your strength. Time tells on us! Moods influence us! Circumstances impede us! Satan blows cold blasts on our heart-fires and cools them! Sins pile up like garbage between us and God! From all these we can turn once more to Jesus and wait on Him. "My soul, wait thou only upon the Lord, for my expectation is from Him." Look not back, but forward! Not down, but up! Not in, but out! Never to your own heart, but keep looking to Jesus, made near and living by the grace of the Holy Spirit. This and only this will change your strength, as you patiently wait upon the Lord.

PRAYER

You know, Lord, how often I am sorely weary and hindered in running the race which is set before me. May Your bountiful grace and mercy come to my rescue, that I may finish my course with joy, and receive the promised crown of life. In Jesus name, I pray, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB)

5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Promise #40: Trust in Me with all your heart and I will guide you.