A few months back our pastor gave us a challenge: ask God to describe you in one word. I prayed and waited… nothing, nothing, nothing and then one word appeared in bold 72 point font in my brain: STRENGTH. You can question the existence of God in your life, but I know he exists in moments like this because never would I ever (finger down) have chosen this word for myself.
While I wouldn’t mind if God was referring to my “bulging” muscles, something tells me that’s not quite what he meant. When I looked to scripture about strength I found one of my favorite verses: Isaiah 40:28-30.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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.
God gives power to the weak and strength to those with no might. If this wasn’t true I wouldn’t be here today. While the first part of this verse is reassuring, I find the second half much more troubling, “those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.”
While it’s still unbelievable to me that God looks at me and sees strength, I am humble enough to understand that strength is fleeting. In this crazy world a moment can turn the strongest into the weakest. A rich man instantly poor in an economic fall out. The best athlete suddenly injured. The healthiest man suddenly facing a terrible illness.
That’s why I am so encouraged by this verse and the idea of renewing strength. Strength in itself is fluid and elusive. We need God to continuously renew our strength and God does that in people who WAIT.
You’ve go to be kidding me with this word again. I hate to wait. Who doesn’t? But waiting in God is different from waiting in line. The ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing. It means confidence in God’s person: confidence in His wisdom, love, timing, understanding of our situation and that of the world. It means knowing and trusting in God’s principles, promises, purposes, and power.
Are you feeling weak and powerless? The road to trusting God’s plan is not an easy one, but as I have learned it begins with being thankful. I have been transformed by my recent commitment to one simple act: writing down everyday something I am thankful for. I find when I focus on thanking God I am strongest and happiest knowing that all things come from God! Because our God is one whose love is stronger than any love we have ever felt.
So whatever you’re waiting for, stay strong. God is working through you and in you. Consider finding time to be quiet and listen for God’s voice and know that God often does his speaking through Godly people on earth, even strangers.
Psalm 37:7-9 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
Today I pray you find strength in waiting and that you trust God’s perfect timing. I pray you give up a constant search for the answers and simply stop and listen. I pray that whether you are feeling like David or Goliath, you figure out that all the strength you will ever need can be found in the one who created you.
It’s a long walk through this world, but keep walking tall, you’re one day closer to being Home.
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