RENEW YOUR STRENGTH
20th Mar 2024
Isaiah 40:31 says, “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.”
This is an amazing promise for those who will “wait upon the Lord”, but what does it mean? I believe that to “wait upon the Lord” is what we do as we spend time in His presence on a daily basis.
There are different things that we do - we praise the Lord. I have been surprised recently to meet people who don’t sing worship songs when they are on their own. Joyce and I sing and worship during our time with the Lord, and at other times during the day. A song that has come to mind whilst thinking about today’s theme is, “Jesus we enthrone you, we proclaim you are King….and as we worship build your throne, come Lord Jesus and take you place.” Worship will build a throne in our hearts where Jesus can reign over our lives.
We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. This has a very practical effect as stated in Romans 8:11, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” The promise is not only spiritual strength but “life to your mortal bodies.”
Waiting on the Lord will also involve time reading God’s Word. There is a great promise in Psalm 119:165 which says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Prayer will also be a key element to our “waiting on the Lord”. In Luke 18:1 “Jesus told his disciples a parable to show that they should always pray and not give up.”
This list is not exhaustive, but worship, the Holy Spirit, reading the Word and prayer are key elements in “waiting on the Lord” and the promise is that these will “renew your strength.” This promise is more than spiritual strength, it is practical physical strength.
There is so much talk these days about weariness, stress, mental health issues and lack of energy. Have we missed this vital promise that can transform our lives and “renew our strength?”
by Charles Sibthorpe