Title: Those Who Wait for the Lord
Contents
In ancient times, the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. 10, 20, 30, and 50 years of captivity have passed, but the captivity is not over. The Israelites were completely exhausted. So, sighs began to come out of their mouths. Isaiah 40:27 “Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you say, O Israel, that my case is hidden from the LORD, and my grievance is not accepted by my God.” The Israelites lamented that God did not take care of their difficult circumstances.
Regarding this, God promised the Israelites in verse 31, “But those who wait in the Lord will find new strength.” In this way, they became like eagles flying up on their wings, running and not getting weary, and walking and not getting tired.
We would like to receive grace together by dividing the words of the text into three parts.
1. Think about “those who wait only for the Lord.”
The meaning of angmang is “to look up”. It's not looking down, it's looking up. What do we need to look forward to? Today's text clearly teaches us not to look forward to the world. It means don't be fooled by the material. It is not to look for the world's powers or honor, but to become “those who wait for the Lord.” Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith! When we become a person who looks at that one person and follows Him as He leads, we will be able to receive the refreshment that the Lord allows.
2. What we should think about is “you will be refreshed.”
When we wait for God, God never disappoints us. He gives us new strength so that we can overcome the world.
In 2 Kings 19, the story of King Hezekiah is recorded. In the north, the Assyrian King San Hyerib has led a large army to attack Judah. In an instant, the city fell and only Jerusalem remained. At that time, San Hye-rib sent a letter blaspheming God to Hezekiah, urging him to surrender quickly. Then Hezekiah tore his clothes and changed sackcloth and went up to the temple of the Lord. I looked to God with tears in my eyes and prayed earnestly. God sent the prophet Isaiah to say, “I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears.” That evening 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were killed, and Sennacherib was assassinated there while fleeing to his own country. Like King Hezekiah, when we are depressed and dark, if we tear our hearts apart and humbly fall down before the Lord and pray and cling to Him, He will give us new strength.
3. Let's look at the changed appearance of those who received refreshment.
Isaiah 40:31 says three things.
The first said, “It will be like an eagle flying up on its wings.”
The method of training eagle chicks is unusual. When the baby eagle grows to a certain extent, the mother eagle grabs it and soars high into the sky. And, without mercy, he drops the baby eagle to the ground. Then, the baby eagle flaps its wings to survive, and the wings gain strength. It is said that through tens of hundreds of practice, you become the king of birds and the bird of birds. The way God gives us new strength is to give us new strength through refinement.
Second, he said, “I will run and not get weary.”
He gives us new strength every day as we wait for the Lord, but in some cases, there are times when a mountain range is set before us. Even in times like these, God gives us new strength every day so that we can overcome all difficulties.
Third, it says, “I will walk, and I will not be weary.”
Our religious life also worships God 365 days a year at the same time, place, and order. For this reason, those who do not receive the refreshment that God gives them because of their weak faith are prone to boredom sooner or later. So, there are people who come out to worship and doze off. Why? It is because we cannot find any new strength by looking to the Lord. But get refreshed. You can trust with a new heart every day. You can pray with new emotions. We can give you praise with new emotions. Even if you listen to the same words, you will find new grace every day. Even if you do volunteer work, you can serve faithfully with a happy heart.
It is God's blessing to those who wait for the Lord. As we march forward like eagles to the heights and mightily toward the eternal kingdom of God, the Lord gives us new strength so that we will not be weary, and wherever we do what we do, we are able to overcome the world with a beautiful step. I believe you will make it.