During the month of October, our study group is resuming time in the devotional Settle My Soul by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk.
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“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)
Rather than viewing waiting as sitting anxiously, what if we were to be waiting on Him, as in the sense of a waiter or a server?
If we took this posture, then we would be doing something while we wait, and the serving would renew our strength.
Take a closer look at the wording in the NLT: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.”
It’s not the old strength that somehow gains a little energy or is revitalized. No, it is a new strength. One we never had before.
The study asks, “So how can you serve God while waiting on Him instead of fretting?”
We just need to keep showing up and faithfully doing what He puts before ua each day.
“Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart – so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” (Andrew Murray)
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We closed our first week with reading Jeremiah 9:13, where we find God repeating what he had already once said to the people.
“This is all happening because you abandoned my instructions and refused to obey Me.” (my paraphrase)
They deliberately disobeyed.
God is serious about His Word and His people. His desire is for a people who will love and obey Him wholeheartedly.
The author makes the point that the world is always coming out with new ideas for us to follow. We must be careful to be sure they align with God’s original instructions.
Today’s reading brought to mind these lyrics:
“Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you got lost? How did you find your way out? What lesson did you learn?
Prayer: Lord, may we remember your ancient words are for all times. Your ancient words are for today. Help us to grab hold of them so they can impart life to our souls. Amen.
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We find new strength
as we remember His ancient words each day.
Photo by Nihal Demirci on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .
I loved your words today. Yes, I do get lost when I take my eyes off Jesus. What a great way to start my day. Thank you. Maree
Thank you, Maree. You make a wonderful point – when we start our day with Him, we are more likely to keep our eyes on Him.
Such beautiful words, Joanne. There are a number of ways we can wait, and the Bible never tells us to wait fretting. 🙂 I like the image of serving Him as we wait. I’ve also seen (somewhere) the idea of waiting with anticipation. Waiting on the Lord always requires trust, doesn’t it?
You’ve given me good food for thought today, and you’ve got me thinking about a big area in my life where I’m waiting. You’ve renewed my perspective. Thank you!
So grateful His Word renewed your perspective, Jeanne. We tend to see waiting as inactivity, but I am coming to see there is more action in waiting than I ever anticipated. Blessings!
Two things, Joanne … first, it’s been years since I heard that hymn … so beautiful! And also, I had never thought about the fact that we receive “new strength” when we trust in the Lord. Not strength from yesterday, strength for today. That’s definitely a good thing for me to remember right now!
Lois, the words “new strength” were so eye opening to me. May we never rely on an old supply. He is so faithful to us.
Waiting on Him has been the focal point of my week, Joanne. Thank you for this beautiful post!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!