The Christians renewable resource
The Christian’s Renewable Resource
Isaiah 40:28-31
In case you haven’t noticed, the price of gas has jumped to about $3.00 per gallon. The price of a barrel of oil is approaching $100 which is the highest price in history. High gas and oil prices tend to rekindle the debate of lessening our dependency on foreign oil. The hot topic of this era is trying to capture the power generated by renewable resources. There are five categories of renewable resources: Solar, wind, water, geothermal and biomass.
Our text this morning has to do with another prophecy from Isaiah to the people of Israel. They are being told that they will soon go into a state of captivity at the hand of the Babylonians. God allows them to know this for a couple of reasons: First He is displeased for their lack of trust in Him, and secondly He wants the people to know that this is part of His grand plan. Although the Lord has told the people that their coming captivity is all part of His plan, their reaction is one of fear and discouragement. God has finally forsaken me, I just don’t know if I have the strength to make it through this. We know that there are several types of strength. Let’s quickly consider three kinds: physical, mental, and spiritual. When a man is young it seems he can go on for hours without tiring. We watch the toddlers run around us with seemingly endless energy. We say, “I wish we could bottle their energy and use it.” Even a toddler has to have a nap to have his energy renewed. At around 40 we discover that our energy is no longer renewable, it seems to be diminishing.
Mental strength. Although it normally diminishes later in life than our physical strength, I think most of us realize that as we grow older, our minds aren’t as sharp as they used to be. There doesn’t appear to be anyway to renew that resource either. The last type is spiritual strength. Spiritual strength begins with our faith in Christ. Even this type of strength is prone to failure if we are not careful to monitor our spiritual activity. The man who was once on fire for the things of the Lord can become lukewarm or cold, if spiritual exercise is neglected. The interesting point about spiritual strength is that it is a renewable resource, and you can take it with you through your entire life’s journey. This morning I want to consider, “The Christian’s Renewable Resource.”
1. We can see from our text this morning, that this renewable strength comes from God, and we understand that His power is infinite. He is the everlasting God; that speaks of His eternal nature, He has no beginning or end, He is the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega. We see that He is the Creator, which speaks of His power.
Ps 33:6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Ps 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
He gives His power to the faint, and those that have no strength. We are in the best position to receive spiritual strength from the Lord when we bring ourselves to this point.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. When people finally admit I cannot do it without the power of Christ resting on me, then God is ready to give a renewing of strength. Having a strong will and being spiritually strong are poles apart.
I want you to see the key to obtaining this renewable resource—They that WAIT upon the Lord. What a humbling statement! It makes one want to say, “Thank you Lord for asking me to do something that I don’t really like to do.” Waiting signifies having patience. My father has been here this week. I knew that he was coming in on Thursday, and about the time I thought he should be on his way up from the airport, I called him. His plane had just landed, then begins the process of waiting for him to arrive. Waiting does not mean to just sit back on our laurels, but to be watching for something expected. Waiting means to trust and rely on God, and to pause in our actions. Waiting is learning to employ reliance without the rush.
Waiting means to pray and then pause for the answer.
Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. How many times have we been guilty of praying and not waiting for God’s answer but rushing a decision based on our desires or reasoning? God is not glorified when we act in a way that is contrary to His character.
It means to read and then wait for understanding.
Ps 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
It means to be quiet. Think back to Elijah in his time of discouragement. There was an earthquake, a fire, and a whirlwind, and the Lord was not in any of those things. The Bible says it was a still small voice, and still small voices cannot be heard over a bunch of commotion and bantering.
Waiting on the Lord will lift us up (eagle’s wings) in times of discouragement. We get so bogged down from dwelling on our present circumstances. We need to learn to think back to the joyful times. Whether it is our salvation, answered prayer, thinking about heaven, or another time of deliverance, we should have something pleasant to meditate on.
Waiting on the Lord will give us the energy to get through difficult circumstances. (Run and not be weary)
It gives us strength for living day to day (walk and not faint). Some of the most troublesome times of our life are simply presented in the daily grind. We have a lot to bear, our burden is heavy, but we will not e destroyed by the events of life.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Close with Psalm 121.
The Christian’s Renewable Resource. Do you need His strength this morning in some area of your life?