Tuesday 2-16-10

Isaiah  40:29-31

"29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31  But 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."

Earlier in chapter forty the parallel is made between man and grass. It showed just how insignificant, and short lived man really is. Then in later verses it showed just how great, mighty, powerful, and wonderful God is. Then we come to the end of the chapter and here we see the relationship between insignificant man and almighty and powerful God. Man is week and God is the sustainer, Man faints and God is the renewer of strength.

I can see so beautifully my condition without relying on God's strength and power, and also I can see my condition when I do rely on God for strength and power. I remember when I would try to do ministry, to serve, to do those things I knew I should, yet I did them in my own power. Sometimes I could do them, and even on occasion do them half-way-decently. Yet I could not persevere, I would become weary in doing good, I would become faint in obeying God. The reasons for why I would fail were two-fold I believe: first I was doing them for my glory, I was doing them so that I would be noticed; secondly because I was attempting to do those things by/in my own strength. My pride kept me from being used for God.

However, praise be to God! For he convicted me of my prideful behavior, and my self-reliance. I now seek to bring him glory in obeying him, and I truly have found strength when I wait on him. 

Please pray for Mark and Natasha Tolson. Here is an excerpt from their blog: "Our baby has what is known as “Body Stalk Anomaly.” Basically, all the organs from the mid-chest down have developed outside the body and have attached themselves to the wall of the placenta. This condition makes the baby incapable of living outside the womb." This must be extremely difficult for them, and most definitely need much prayer and support at this time.

God Bless,