From: September 22, 2023
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).
There is a kind of fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no effect on this deep exhaustion. Recreation and entertainment may work for the moment, but when the distraction ends, the weariness returns.
This kind of fatigue is spiritual and only spiritual help will do. The Lord gave an answer through the prophet Isaiah saying, “Trust in the Lord.” Or as most translate it, “Wait on the Lord.”
So how do we “wait on the Lord?” Waiting is something that most of us hate. If we have to do it, we try to fill the time looking at some app on our smart phones. We don’t know how to wait quietly without activity or distraction. Yet those who have learned to wait on the Lord have also learned to watch for His activity. For watching and waiting are spiritual disciplines that go together. So waiting on the Lord is not a passive, but an active thing. Those who have learned the discipline of waiting on the Lord will discover that their strength is being renewed.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we wait on You to give us strength. For there is a fatigue that sleep can’t repair. Lift us up today. Give strength to our minds and bodies. Energize us by Your Spirit, so that we may join You in Your work, exercising the strength You have given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 22, 2022
THE INCREDIBLE GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER FOR US
Paul prayed that the believers in Ephesus would understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for them as believers. What kind of power is this? It is the same kind of “mighty power that raised Christ from the dead” (Eph. 1:20). It is resurrection power! Not only is it dynamic, wonder-working power, but it is also authoritative power. For God has put “all things under the authority of Christ” (Eph. 1:22).
Why did Paul pray that believers would understand this power? It was so that they might live by faith in His power rather than their own strength. Do you want to see the wonder-working power of Christ in our world today? Then put away human plans and dependence on worldly schemes and put your dependence on Christ for all things. Then we can live according to this saying: “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we surrender our plans to You today. We ask that You empower us for Your plans. We are learning to lean on You. Help us to walk by Your strength and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 22, 2016
God’s motive for adoption is here explained. It was “in love” that God chose us before we knew Him. It was God’s love that moved Him to save us and to give us the rights of sonship through adoption (John 1:12). While the doctrines of regeneration and justification describe our salvation from sin and death (Romans 8:2), the doctrine of adoption describes our new relationship as a beloved child of God.
From: September 22, 2015
Are you weary and heavy laden? The Lord gave an answer through the prophet Isaiah saying, “Wait on the Lord.” There is a fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no effect on this deep fatigue. Recreation and entertainment work for the moment, but when the distraction ends, the weariness returns. This is a spiritual problem and only spiritual help will do. Jesus said, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). We need the rest that only Christ can give.
From: September 22, 2014
Through the centuries the Bible has been burned and banned by dictators seeking to stamp it out. It has been accused of being corrupted by copyists and filled with inconsistencies by unbelieving skeptics. Yet, while the dictators and skeptics pass away, the Word still stands. God has preserved His Word, so that we might receive the revelation of His Son. We can trust the everlasting Word of God. It stands forever.