WFW: Strength in Waiting on the Word
Psalm 119: 28, 81 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.... My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Isaiah 40: 31 "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."
Psalm 27: 14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalm 73: 26 "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
Psalm 130: 5 "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."
Strength is accomplished through the Word of God. As we wait upon Him and continue to read His Word, hear His voice, and do what He says, we gain strength. Interestingly, the word "grace" in James 4:6 (But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.") means "undeserved strength." We obtain God's strength by waiting on Him, which includes reading His Word; this requires humility on our part, because we need to put aside self and just focus on God. If we will spend the time in His presence, we are assurred that we will have His strength: "... the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10b) and "In Your Presence is fullness of joy."
Psalm 105:4 "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!"
Ah, waiting. How our flesh hates it! But I think it's one of God's favorite ways to change our hearts, so we better get used to it!
ReplyDeleteGood post!