Tapping into God's Strength by Waiting on Him

Tapping into God's Strength by Waiting on Him Joey Cochran

Isaiah 40:31 says: “But they who wait for the Lord renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Greeting cards on display at retail. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) This is one of the most celebrated and shared verses of the Bible. I’m sure you’ve seen it on greeting cards, framed pictures, and tees garnered with a picture of a soaring eagle. If you’re like me you’ve had different responses at different times to these products. At one point you wrapped your hands on them anytime you found them. You got a euphoric inspiration from them. Then at other times these products exhausted you. You shunned them as superstitious, sentimental, or just flat out silly. Though we oscillate between euphorically or exhaustingly responding to “soaring eagle” merchandise, this is not how we should respond to the truths in this verse. These are truths that promote waiting on God. They teach strength and endurance. Let me show you how. Strength Have you done a lot of strengthening exercises? I work out a few times a week, and I always find that I am chipper on the days when I work out. I feel pep in my step and a eurphoric sensation that I can take on any task. It’s remarkable that God conveys that our waiting gives that same sensation. The practice of patience empowers us. It renews our strength. It’s kind of like a video game where the player is able to recover from attack by waiting and avoiding attacks. But it’s entirely different because we are not waiting from something we are waiting into something. We are waiting into the Lord. Our wait is a wait into the Lord that strengthens us. Why is that? Well Isaiah 40:28 clues us in. Look at the beginning of the verse: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the Ends of the earth.” This verse tells us who God is. He is everlasting and Creator. Thus, we derive strength from God because he is the one of unending strength. He outlasts all creation and is the source of all creation. All creation waits on him and depends upon him. Where creation has its start and stop, God doesn’t. So we can plug into God’s unending strength and be empowered by him. Endurance Humans are puny and weak without God’s strength. Life’s troubles exhaust us easily, and it’s meant to be that way. The curse of the fall led to toiling work. Our toil is because of our turning from God, and our toil reminds us to turn back to him. So when we are exhausted from all of life’s troubles, we need to turn to God. That state of being turned to him and looking to him is an act of waiting; it brings endurance from exhaustion. But we don’t just get exhausted from toil. We get exhausted from going, we get exhausted from not knowing, and we get exhausted from waiting. Toil is only part of it. To fully grip how to develop the endurance portrayed in Isaiah 40:31 we can again look at what Isaiah 40:28 conveys about the character of God. Isaiah 40:28 ends by telling us more about who God is: “He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Now, when we look back at Isaiah 40:31, it makes more sense. Our endurance is borrowed from God’s endurance. Exhaustion from going is endured because God does not faint. Tapping into God’s tireless strength protects us from fainting. Furthermore, our exhaustion from not knowing what’s ahead is endured because God’s understanding is unending. We, then, trust that he knows what’s next for us. Soar Like Eagles Have you ever seen an eagle circling or soaring? They can hold their wingspan for a lengthy time and glide on the wind for what appears to be an interminable period. They look graceful, steady, and sure as they soar. Do those words describe your patience? Graceful. Steady. Sure. Is that the picture of how you wait for the Lord? My patience falls far short of that description. When I don’t know what’s going on, when I am weak, when I am exhausted, then I am much more likely to look like a spazzed dog chasing its tail rather than a strong, enduring eagle soaring on the wind. You know why? A dog is focused on his tail. Isaiah 40:28 and Isaiah 40:31 teach us to not be focused on ourselves but to refocus on who God is. Look at the enduring nature of God’s character and trust Him to provide strength and endurance through whatever toil or trial you face. Joey Cochran, a ThM graduate of Dallas Seminary, is the church planting intern at Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, Illinois under the supervision of pastor Joe Thorn. You can follow him at jtcochran.com or @joeycochran.

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Suffering redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin

surrendersacrifice has posted a new topic entitled "Why is suffering redemptive?" in forum "General Theology" on Bible Truth.

Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering.  Jesus invites us to join Him in His redemptive work by allowing us to enter into His suffering (which we encounter while doing His work) (Colossians 1:24).  Therefore, to be worthy of Christ we must deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). Even the personal sufferings we encounter in life when suffered with faith in Christ (which means that we believe that God will bring out of our suffering) is redeeming because it produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-3); enables us to overcome sin; and enables us to share in His life (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21).  Suffering makes us humble; humility teaches us to rely on God; and reliance God frees us of selfishness (which is the cause of all sins). Quite often we are afraid of suffering, however we must remember that Jesus will lighten our burden (if we trust Him) (Matthew 11:30); and that the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).

Determine the drive

"No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined.
No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled.
No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined."
- Harry Emerson

Your input will determine your output,
so guard what you put in and you won't be put out.
- Peter Sinclair

Even though times of transition are tough,
the riches of refinement are worth the pain of loneliness and frustration.
- Susannah Ince

The steady discipline of intimate friendship with Jesus
results in men becoming like Him.
- H. E. Fosdick

"It is for discipline that you have to endure.
God is treating you as sons;
for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"
Hebrews 12:7

My God, I look forward to the right motives.
Let me always choose the correct direction and find the right actions.
Give me the right skills to educate well,
I ask that in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Bepaal de aandrijving
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2013 update:
 

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A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

My love for the Lord Jesus

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20

& What does this mean in practical terms?

Ø  I must love Jesus more than everything else, even my family or my own life. Luke 14:26-27; Matt 10:37-38; Col 3:1-4

Ø  I must keep the commandments of Christ and by so doing remain in his love. John 15:10

Ø  My one goal is to show my love for the Lord Jesus Christ and that he might dwell in my heart through faith. Eph 3:17-19

Ø  Jesus must be my example in everything and I will try to be like him. 1Peter 2:21-23; John 13:15-16

Ø  Only through Jesus can my sin be covered, therefore I must remain in him.  John 15:5-7; Heb 2:1-3

Ø  I will remember Jesus each week by breaking bread and drinking wine in the way he has commanded. Matt 26:26-27; 1Cor 11:24-26; Acts 2:42; 20:7

Ø  I was bought at a great price by God who provided salvation through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore my life is not my own to live as I please, but must be lived to the glory of God. 1Cor 6:19-20

Ø  Jesus is the most important person in my life; therefore, I must acknowledge him before others. Luke 12:8-9; Mark 8:38

Ø  My aim must be to prepare diligently for when Jesus Christ returns. Because of this, I will not get too engrossed with the work and interests of this life. Matt 24:44; Luke 12:35-38, 40; 2Peter 3:10-14

Ø  The need for endurance to face hardships and difficulties is essential; I must remain confident and persevere until the end. Matt 24:11-13; 2Tim 2:3; Heb 3:13-14; Rev 2:10&25

Ø  In times of weakness I will remember that Jesus was tempted in all the ways that I am, yet without sin and is now able to mediate for his people before God and seek forgiveness through him. Heb 4:15-16; 1Tim 2:5; Heb 8;6, 9:15

Ø  I will always offer prayer to God through the dear name of Jesus. John 16:26-27

Ø  I will not accept any man ‘Rabbi’ (teacher) or Master because only Jesus is my High Priest, Teacher and Master. Matt 23:7-10

  - Andy Peel

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Liefde voor Jezus Christus
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In this series:
A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A living faith #2 State of your faith
A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
A Living Faith #4 Effort
A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
A Living faith #7 Prayer
A Living Faith #8 Change
A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
A Living Faith #11 My place in the body of Christ and my ecclesia
A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

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2016 January update

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Faith and trial

Dutch version / Nederlands > Beproevingen en geloof

“In this [hope] you rejoice even though for a brief moment at the present you are bound to grieve in various trials, in order that the proof of your faith –much more precious than gold refined by fire! –may be found [a cause for] praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 1:6-7 MHM)
“It is by [Jesus] also we now enjoy an approach [to God] through His unmerited favor in which we now stand. Also, we may boast in the hope of God’s glory.” (Ro 5:2 MHM)
“For it is better for persons to suffer because of doing good – if that be the wish and will of The God – than be persons suffering for doing bad.” (1Pe 3:17 MHM)

“Consider it immeasurable joy, my brothers, whenever various trials befall you, realizing that this testing of your deep conviction works out endurance. But, let endurance work out completely so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4 MHM)

“Beloved, do not think it strange the burning fire you face as a test as though something alien was taking place. But rather all of you continue to rejoice because of sharing in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you might also rejoice in exultation at the revelation of his glory.” (1Pe 4:12-13 MHM)
“For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” (Ps 66:10 ASV)
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all.” (Ps 34:19 ASV)
“[There] they strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the Faith, saying: “We must gain entrance into the Kingdom of The God through many oppressions.”” (Ac 14:22 MHM)

“For I think The God has exhibited us apostles last as [persons] condemned to death, because we became a theater spectacle to the Cosmos–both to angels and humans. We are morons because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we dishonorable. Until this present hour we both hunger and thirst–are without proper clothing, are beaten, and homeless. Also, we work with our own hands. When reviled, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. When defamed, we implore. We [apostles] have become the outcasts in the world of humankind. Until the present moment we have become the refuse of all.”

“I do not write to shame you, but rather as admonishing my beloved children. For though you have myriads of infant-teachers, but you do not have many fathers in Christ. For I gave birth to you in Christ Jesus by means of the Good News.” (1Co 4:9-15 MHM)
“But, we possess this treasure in vessels of baked clay, so that the surpassing greatness may be the power of The God and not our own.”
“Continually pressured, but not completely restricted. Continually perplexed, but not without direction. Continually persecuted, but not abandoned. Continually suppressed, but not destroyed. Constantly enduring the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may be manifest in our body. For we, the living, are constantly being exposed to death in behalf of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might also be manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2Co 4:7-11 MHM)

“Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” (Ps 66:12 ASV)
“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.” (Pr 17:3 ASV)
“Not only that, but we also are boasting in the oppression, realizing that this oppression produces endurance. However, this endurance documents and endorses [us]. Then, this endorsing documentation [produces] hope;” (Ro 5:3-4 MHM)

“Blessed [by God] is the person who endures trials. Because having become approved such a person will receive the crown of life which [God] promised to those loving Him.” (Jas 1:12 MHM)
“Do not be frightened of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested by 10 days of oppression. Continue to be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Re 2:10 MHM)
“Because you observed the word of my own endurance I will also keep you from the hour of temptation coming upon the entire inhabited earth.” (Re 3:10 MHM)

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 2013 update:

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A Living Faith #5 Perseverance

A LIVING FAITH IN ACTION

Perseverance

Prev. A Living Faith #4 Effort

Having accepted the wisdom of listening, taking to heart the Word of Yahweh and the effort that must be made in order to develop a living faith. We will come to realise that effort needs to be sustained if we are to put the Commandments of Christ into daily action, despite our failures. We are but dust and very easily forget! Perseverance is the next essential ingredient required in order to develop a living and active faith. Paul speaks of a progression of events:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:1-4

We are utterly undeserving of the grace Yahweh has extended towards us. Faith brings justification by grace, in that God is willing to count faith as righteousness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the value of faith and willingness to be obedient to the Word will be tested by trials and tribulations. Therefore, Paul reminds us that faithful endurance of tribulations will generate perseverance, which in turn will develop an individual’s character by a putting on of the mind of Christ. Faithful perseverance gives rise to hope. Yet that hope is not directly seen, for the fulfilment of faith still lies in the future. Indeed as Paul comments, if we saw that which is hoped for, we would not still hope for it:

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:24-25

Faith and hope know that the promises of God are real and certain. Faith believes that His Word does not change and that His promises will be fulfilled. Thus hope springs forth from that certainty. The value that we place upon His Word, will determine to what extent we are willing to persevere in order to attain the fulfilment of His Word. The value that we place upon His Word will also determine the amount of effort put into obeying His commandments.

If His Word is our greatest treasure, then we will indeed look forward with eager anticipation, desiring to become like the Lord Jesus in character and manner of life. Developing ‘Christ-like’ characteristics is contrary to our natural human nature. Thus those changes in character will only come stage by stage, one step at a time. It will require perseverance and dedication, but that is what having a living faith is all about!

There can be no half hearted measures, no trying to do the bare minimum. There can be no personal compromise of scriptural standards. There can be no compromise and no fraternising with those who do not follow sound doctrine and thus are not in fellowship. Attentiveness and attention to detail in putting the Word into practice daily is required. Peter describes the process of one Godly characteristic being added to another, he says:

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,   to knowledge self–control, to self–control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Peter 1:5-8

Honest self examination will show how each one measures up to those qualities. The way will be hard; it will take a lot of effort and personal sacrifice to overcome our sinful nature. We will fail many times and frequently face the stark reality that we do indeed come very far short of what Yahweh requires of His children. Many times we will look inwardly and observe a singular lack of virtue, knowledge, self control, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Maybe there will also be times when we despair of those attributes ever being found within us, giving rise to a feeling of abject unworthiness.

But the attribute of perseverance will help us through such times. A living faith will drive us forward, strong in the knowledge that Yahweh is very merciful and has shown His love by providing the Lord Jesus as the means of atonement, the one through whom salvation can come. Thus rather than despair, faith will endure, remaining hopeful to the very end. James speaks of the blessings wrought by endurance saying:

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord––that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11

Yahweh is compassionate and merciful indeed towards all His children who hope in Him. But perseverance and endurance will require a willingness to make sacrifices. Job lost much, indeed all that he had, but counted such loss as more than worthwhile saying:

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21

We note that Job acknowledges that all he had came from God, whose right it was to give and whose right it was to take should He so wish. In either state Job praised the name of the Lord. Job further said: Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10

Herein lies a lesson for us to thank Yahweh both in times of plenty and in times of adversity. We owe Him all, even life itself. The very fact that we live, have opportunity to know His Word and be part of His purpose, is in itself more than sufficient cause for praise. We do not deserve anything and have rights to nothing; anything Yahweh chooses to give is an act of love and mercy.

The adversity of Job was not wrought out of unkindness, but rather out of love, Yahweh having prepared something better for Job. Though Job did not understand why these calamities had come upon him, Yahweh had an end in mind that Job could not at that time see. Those calamites were designed to teach Job a spiritual lesson and as a result Job is set before us in scripture as an example of faithful perseverance. After the trail of his faith and the refining process that he endured, Job concludes: "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.” Job 42:5

Job knew of God and knew about God, but after all his calamities and trials he learned to truly know God. This same lesson we must also learn though the trials and tribulations found within our own personal lives and circumstances. But it is a lesson that will only be learned if we persevere in putting the Word into practice day by day to the very end.

To be continued….. A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice

Andy Peel

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In this series:

A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A living faith #2 State of your faith
A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
A Living Faith #4 Effort
A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
A Living faith #7 Prayer
A Living Faith #8 Change
A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
A Living Faith #11 My place in the body of Christ and my ecclesia
A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

Of interest: > Faith Requires a Basis

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2016 linkupdate

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God should be your hope

Dutch version / Nederlands > God moet je hoop zijn

“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps 16:11 RSV)
“Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 RSV)
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Ro 5:3-5 RSV)
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” (2Co 9:8 RSV)
“For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb 6:10-12 RSV)

A “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham

Dutch = Nederlandstalige versie > Een “zaad” voor de zegening van de gehele mensheid gekomen door de familie van Abraham

I will multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and I will give to your seed all these lands; and by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves. —
Genesis 26:4.

Abraham’s endurance had a powerful effect on his son Isaac, who spent his entire life —180 years— as an alien resident in the land of Canaan. Isaac’s endurance was based on faith in God’s promise, faith that was instilled in him by his aged parents and later reinforced by Jehovah’s own word to him. (Genesis 26:2-5) Isaac’s steadfastness played a key role in the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise that a “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham. Hundreds of years later, Jesus Christ, the primary part of that “seed,” opened the way for all who exercise faith in him to be reconciled to God and to enjoy everlasting life. (Galatians 3:16; John 3:16) Isaac, in turn, helped his son Jacob to cultivate strong faith that sustained him into his old age.