He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
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. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
FOR EIGHT DAYS, WE HAVE DWELT ON “The Lord’s Prayer,” which should be called: “The Disciples’ Prayer.” It is probably the most-quoted prayer in the world. It is a well-worded means of approaching the God of Heaven.
TODAY WE FOCUS ON "HE GIVETH MORE STRENGTH." It could be physical strength, as God gave Samson, or it could be strength of the inner man that can be even more important. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (Ephesians 3:16)
HOW DO WE GET EXTRA STRENGTH FROM THE LORD? There is only one way to get it and it is a sure way. Isaiah told us. He was born 700 years before the birth of Christ. It is in our text for today:
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
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. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
GOD'S STRENGTH IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO WAIT UPON THE LORD. Isaiah’s message is like Jesus’ message: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49) That was tarrying for the power that came on the day of Pentecost. But the principle for us today is the same.
WE TARRY UNTIL WE ARE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM HIGH, whatever power the Lord deems to bestow upon us. It may be a series of prayer times or it may be prayer times plus being in a state of prayer throughout the day. It can be days. We tarry until we are endued with power. How do we know? It is self-evident. We will be stronger in our thinking and in our witness. How do we know when the sun has come up? We don’t need to ask someone if the sun has come up. We can sense a renewing of our strength.
WHY MUST WE TARRY BEFORE THE LORD if we want to be strengthened by Him? There is a principle in dealing with God that we would do well to get acquainted with: “In His time.” But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4)
THE COMING OF THE PROMISED ONE INTO THE WORLD occurred in the fulness of time. He came when it was time. God has a time schedule for doing things. Another reason why we must tarry to be strengthened by the Lord is that our attitude must change before He can do some things for us or through us.
IN THE FULFILLING OF OUR TEXT TODAY, we are talking about hours or days. God wants to do things in our lives and He wants us to be one with Him and that takes a little time.
ARE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH THE LORD IN PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING? Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phlippians 4:7)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
AUGUST 23, 2018 – THURSDAY
A.M. Psalms 119:105-176 P.M. 1Corinthians 5
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
A Good Verse to Memorize:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2)
(Write verse on scrap of paper and put in your pocket to memorize.)
Song for Today:
He Giveth More Grace (3:07) (Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN9-Ri6qjZY