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A Note from the Preacher…Larry Sweeney

        Last Wednesday evening during the adult Bible class I shared with you some thoughts from Isaiah 40:28-31. This was taken from some material that I had previously published and taught. I want to repeat those comments here. Keep in mind this was presented in the context of “coping with suffering.”

“Wait” on the Lord

        As we seek relief in the face of so many pressures and trials of life, comfort can be found throughout the pages of scripture. For example, we might recall:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)

“And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

One other portion of scripture that we may have overlooked is Isaiah 40:28-31. Read these words carefully and they will strengthen you.

“Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
There is no searching of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
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.”

        Did you notice the word “wait?” It is found in verse 31 and means “to twist, to stretch in order to become strong.” Think of a rope. Twisting the strands makes for greater strength. The picture in verse 31 is for each of us to take our one strand of string (strength) and wrap it around the strength of God. When we do that we will be strong - our weakness is traded for His strength. Thus, those of us who “wait” will have the strength of an eagle and can soar above the storm. We can run and not get tired. This is all possible when we rely on God's strength - not our own!

        Will you learn to wait? The proper response to suffering is “wait.” --Larry