05/09/2011
Author: John Powell
From time to time we all wonder if the Lord really sees us or cares what is going on with us. We feel adrift and on our own. Isaiah witnessed the same things and likely felt the same way himself. Yet God used him to shine the light on this victim mentality and dispel our whining ways. In 40:27 he challenges us: “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God’?”
It’s tempting to feel disregarded and ask ourselves “why hasn’t God shown us what’s ahead for us?” Some here at First Ev. Free Church may feel that way about our building plans. Why hasn’t He sold our present building so we can move ahead? Why does He expect so much from us and not give us what we need to accomplish it?”
The reply from God to this kind of self focus is to put Himself out in front of our weary eyes. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28) He precedes and follows us because He created us. He doesn’t get overwhelmed by our situation or get backed into a corner when we feel that way.
Of course the problem is the gap between His understanding and ours. Bringing our point of view into sync with His is the issue. So to sync us up with Him He reminds us in Isaiah 40:29 that “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” The time for power is now. We need strength right now because …”Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” (40:30) “But!”
Into this scene He speaks the key to moving out of this scene! “But!” “But they who wait upon 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.” Isaiah 40:31
Waiting is not popular. We don’t like to wait for stoplights. Or slow trains. Long checkout lines rub us the wrong way. Sitting back and twiddling our thumbs while we wait for someone who is late isn’t on our list of things we long to do.
But this is not God’s concept of waiting. It is not passive or irritated or taking a victim stance. He uses a word that evokes active waiting…collecting strands together and twisting them into something strong. It is active waiting—twisting ourselves in Him.
God has been actively removing obstacle after obstacle from the path to our land on Dripping Springs Road. This has cleared our path forward and given us confidence that we should continue.
But at the same time He has withheld the sale of our Pecos St. property. This is the kind of tension that moves people either to passivity or wheel spinning and weariness.
This is when we learn to experience active waiting. In our waiting we have sought the Lord to sell our building. But perhaps we have been waiting without that twisting ourselves in the Lord that Isaiah talks about.
So the Lord is renewing our strength as we step out expecting to raise $350,000 in one year so we can move ahead without the sale of the Pecos St. property. As we twist ourselves in Him He may reveal a buyer, or show us how He wants to use it.
He promises we will mount up with wings like eagles, running without weariness or fainting. So, as God twists us in Himself and we grab on to Him in return, our active waiting lays hold of the strength and hope of the Lord.
