DAY ELEVEN
Prayer Accesses God’s Strength - Isaiah 40:29-31 29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Wait (Websters) = to stay in place; in expectation of
Waiting isn’t something we are comfortable with. As Americans, we tend to have little patience in the realm of waiting for anything. Almost everything in this generation is “instant”. (i.e., coffee, water, potatoes, credit card approval, internet, jello, financing, breakfast, camera, messaging, pudding, texting, etc.)
Why wait? Is it really important to wait? Who benefits? (God or us?)
Learning to wait, in this day of extra busyness and pressure, is essential in our relationship with God. Waiting on God does the following:
1. When we look at Him, we are looking less at ourselves and our own issues.
- When we keep our eyes on Jesus, the cares of this life (bills, schedules, problems, etc.) seem so small.
- It’s like the relationship parents and children share: kids, don’t seem to worry about anything. They know that their parents will provide everything they need in their life. (Food, shelter, clothing, etc.) They don’t even have to ask. Parents just provide these things.
- God is the same way.
- Paul would agree:
- 2 Timothy 4:16-17 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2. When we wait on the Lord, we come to realize that God is in control.
- Matthew 6:31-33 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- “Take no thought for…all these things shall be added”
- When we learn to wait expectantly on the Lord, fear and doubt have no choice but to leave us!
How long do I wait on the Lord?
- Could it be a few months, or a lifetime?
- Regardless of how long, here are some things to consider while you wait:
1. Get to know God better
2. Enjoy fellowship with others
3. Do something you love to do
4. Try something new
5. Help someone
6. Be reasonable
7. Refuse to compromise