Thankful ThursdayThis morning as I awoke, I felt crushed by the weight of the wait in my life. Logging online to check my morning emails, I opened the online devotional from my Church. I am thankful that God uses, yes, even my own words, written months ago, to give me strength for this day.
“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” Job 17:9
Strength in the Wait
Strength in the Wait
The book of Job holds compelling insight into one man’s endless faith through ceaseless struggle. Having the distinction of the most righteous man on earth, Job suffered continuous attacks from the Enemy. Still, after losing his family, his wealth, and his health, Job never lost his faith—his relentless perseverance is a foundational principle for every overcomer.
One of my favorite verses is “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; they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). The verbs found within this verse give me hope, strengthen my resolve and raise my spirit. Well, all except one little letter word WAIT.
When I am in a battle, I struggle with waiting…almost more than the actual battle! Wait? I want renewal of strength! I want to run! I want to soar! I want answers! Yet, according to Job (and countless other scriptures) our strength is powered by the wait.
Years ago, exhausted by the despair of a relentless struggle, I spent an entire month wrestling with God. Each morning as my youngest left for school, I made the beds, started a load of laundry, and picked up the clutter of the morning before I entered my ‘wrestling room’ armed with Christian music, my Bible, and a pen and paper. Daily, I asked God the tough questions ….the why’s, the how-to’s, the when! Still, it was the WHO I discovered that caused my fight to be over. The character of God, the promises of God, and the love of God provided real truth for every question I offered. Within 30 days, (yes, I’m a slow learner!), as I relinquished all earthly hope I discovered the real hope; the same hope that strengthened Job as his life was seemingly being destroyed—the character of God. God takes our battles and uses them for his glory, his purpose, and our benefit!
The key to overcoming is our willingness to find God in the battle. Like Job, we must stop relying on our own ‘nest’ (Job 29:18) for the answers. We will die in the substance of our own nest unless we “stand fast” (2 Thessalonians 2:15), and “hold fast” (2 Timothy 1:13) to the One who holds us safely in the palms of His hands.
Reflections
Are you in a battle today? Can you say with Job, “I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Focus today, not on your own schemes, your own plans, or the attack of the enemy. Look to His Truth for the answers to your heart’s desire and His perfect will for this battle.
Today’s devotional was written by Diane Viere
Reply to this message to provide us with thoughts or encouragements to share with the writers.To change your email address or to unsubscribe click here Copyright 2007
One of my favorite verses is “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; they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). The verbs found within this verse give me hope, strengthen my resolve and raise my spirit. Well, all except one little letter word WAIT.
When I am in a battle, I struggle with waiting…almost more than the actual battle! Wait? I want renewal of strength! I want to run! I want to soar! I want answers! Yet, according to Job (and countless other scriptures) our strength is powered by the wait.
Years ago, exhausted by the despair of a relentless struggle, I spent an entire month wrestling with God. Each morning as my youngest left for school, I made the beds, started a load of laundry, and picked up the clutter of the morning before I entered my ‘wrestling room’ armed with Christian music, my Bible, and a pen and paper. Daily, I asked God the tough questions ….the why’s, the how-to’s, the when! Still, it was the WHO I discovered that caused my fight to be over. The character of God, the promises of God, and the love of God provided real truth for every question I offered. Within 30 days, (yes, I’m a slow learner!), as I relinquished all earthly hope I discovered the real hope; the same hope that strengthened Job as his life was seemingly being destroyed—the character of God. God takes our battles and uses them for his glory, his purpose, and our benefit!
The key to overcoming is our willingness to find God in the battle. Like Job, we must stop relying on our own ‘nest’ (Job 29:18) for the answers. We will die in the substance of our own nest unless we “stand fast” (2 Thessalonians 2:15), and “hold fast” (2 Timothy 1:13) to the One who holds us safely in the palms of His hands.
Reflections
Are you in a battle today? Can you say with Job, “I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Focus today, not on your own schemes, your own plans, or the attack of the enemy. Look to His Truth for the answers to your heart’s desire and His perfect will for this battle.
Today’s devotional was written by Diane Viere
Reply to this message to provide us with thoughts or encouragements to share with the writers.To change your email address or to unsubscribe click here Copyright 2007
I am thankful that God is in our waits with us, is using each delay for His divine purpose. I am thankful that God always provides!
14 comments:
Beautiful post, bless you.
Isaiah 40:31 is one of my favorites. Thanks for the encouragement on waiting. Our house has been for sale for almost two years. I know timing is in the Lord's hands. Waiting to move has been like wasting the time we have here. I need a reminder to be thankful for today.
Blessings,
Robin
That is so awesome that your own writing came back, not to "haunt" you, but to help you. Love God's timing!!
I'm with you on the waiting, though, for sure!
I loved that...the wrestling room...that rocks!
I waited 10 years, without one word, for a prodigal to come home. He did!!! And through those 10 years the Lord periodically would give me dreams and words of comfort that I knew he would.
I stood firm on Jeremiah 31:16 & 17 "Thus saith the Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for they work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that they children shall come again to their own border."
God's word is sure and His mercies endureth forever.
Susan
Amen and Amen! I needed to read this and in fact, I am going to print it our and keep reading it! I too have been struggling with the wait, the battle I can handle! Love this part"Look to His Truth for the answers to your heart’s desire and His perfect will for this battle."
I always love your posts. I have had so little time to visit around here lately. My granddaddy is critical again, so I am dividing my time wisely. I will be back into the swing of things before too long. Glad you're keeping the flames burning...and good to see that clean closet...mine's a mess.
Thank you for reminding me to trust in God's attibutes--his character, rather than our plans or schemes...as we wait.
So beautifully said Diane. For some reason it is the learning to let go and rest in absolute trust in Him that is so difficult. I am learning that lesson too.
This was such a timely post for me to read today! Thank you so much for sharing and for the much-needed reminder to keep our focus where it needs to be in times of waiting and struggle.
Waiting really is such a difficult thing to do. Thank you for these words today.
I agree with Deena, I like "wrestling room." That's a good way to put it.
My mom always says that the "waits" are often God's way of keeping us from getting hurt or from doing something dumb or to keep us from "embarking" before He has fully prepared us.
I know, the wait is sometimes very painful.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful devotional--I needed to read this tonight, my bones are weary a little and my spirit is low...
I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Be blessed today and always...
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