Those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed.
Isaiah 40:31 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.
I had read this verse many times before I ever first embraced it. I was introduced to a new revelation and power in these words while reading a book on grief after my daughter had died. That author, unfortunately I can’t recall who it was, described that sometimes we might find strength to soar as eagles. Other times, we might be given the strength to run and accomplish the things He has given us to do without losing energy, strength, and stamina. There are also times, times like was in at the moment of that reading, where we are given the strength just to walk without collapsing. In that time, I couldn’t soar, I was able to run and accomplish the work He had given me. All I could do in that time was walk without giving up. I had strength enough to exist and continue in life even though I lacked understanding of my circumstances and vision of what He was doing in my life. I had strength enough to wait on Him and trust that He was at work in my circumstances.
That interpretation was needed at that time, and I treasure the truth that was revealed. I’ve been able to minister to others with that same knowledge in their times of grief and I have seen that blessing go forward with them. That is, by any means, not the only way to read that scripture and see it applied to our lives. Scripture is living. God uses it reach us in the moment we need it. It is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) and useful in His hands to accomplish His purposes in us at any given moment. His word does not return to Him void. It will produce the fruit for which He intends.
Right now, I am focused in on the aspect of waiting on Him. I have desires in my heart that He placed there. I have desires to see Agape Prayer Center grow in influence in our area to see His kingdom advance through healing prayer, breaking down denominational barriers, and connecting the church with the people and local businesses. I have desires to see new community development in our downtown area, provide affordable housing, develop community parks and establish new businesses that will put people to work and provide places of fellowship to build up the body. I have desires to see a new church established in our region that is Five-Fold focused and organized to reach out rather than draw others in. I desire to see educational opportunities that help people develop skills and find new places of employment or start their own business. I desire to identify up and coming businesses to invest in them and see them expand into their God given call. I desire to write books and make a global impact, particular on men, for Kingdom expansion.
Too big? We serve a big God. I am likely not dreaming big enough.
All of these notions, I believe, are God given. So why not move forward on them all? I am waiting. Unless the Lord builds this stuff, the laborers labor in vain (Psalm 127). I have done much work on my own, getting ahead of God, because I thought it was a good idea, saw the need, or desired to see it develop. Every time I started out that way, I found that I had built something from the flesh. Building it from the flesh meant it would also be maintained by the flesh and my flesh just isn’t that strong. I can only go so much for so long before I collapse in exhaustion. When I collapse, so does the endeavor I had set out to accomplish.
If I wait on Him, then I will have the strength to soar like an eagle. I will have the strength and stamina to run as I complete the tasks He has set before me. I will be able to walk with Him at His pace, enjoying His process at work in me, through me, and around me. Waiting on Him means that I keep myself submitted to Him and under His authority. Waiting on Him means that I can see the desires He placed in my heart come to fruition as He accomplishes the plans He created for me through me as I partner with Him. Waiting on Him means that I take His yoke, which is easy and light, and see His will made manifest on earth as it is in Heaven. If I move ahead of Him, I lose all of that.
So, the question that might follow your thoughts would be about hearing from God and when to move. This, of course, will be different for all of us. I know God speaks. He is not silent. He gives us His written word and the counsel of wise people (if we listen to their wisdom). The truth is that He speaks to us in our prayer time and will provide for us the word we need to move forward. It will resonate in your spirit. It will be in line with His written word. It will likely be in line with the wisdom that others are offering (provided they are seeking Him for His wisdom rather than what might make sense in the world’s system).
I’ve heard some people say things like, “I have peace about this decision.” That’s nice. I have had peace about things He’s given me at times, but He has also given me things to do that scare the stuffing out of me and has had me do things that I don’t particularly want to do (not peaceful, I assure you). How does one distinguish His voice and discern His direction? Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. And more prayer.
Develop the discipline of time with Him. Learn to pray more than petitions. Learn to pray with an ear to listen to what He has to say. I suggest asking Him whatever you need to ask Him and then shutting your mouth and listening for his response. I find it helpful to write out what I think He is giving me and then sharing those things with another to help discern if I am hearing from Him or making something up because its what I want (or don’t want).
Read His word. Establish a time to meet with Him and meet with Him. Give yourself time to listen. Give yourself time to simply rest in His presence and receive what it is He wants to give you. I have had times where I have petitioned on a certain issue and His response assures me that He hears me and understands my concerns, but He has something else for me. I have come to learn that He doesn’t have to make sense to me but that His word always leads me into a deeper relationship, interdependence, and communion with Him and that His plans for me are better than what I can derive on my own. I have also learned that if I don’t get the response that I was hoping for, it is okay to let Him know any disappointment I may be experiencing, and I have developed the understanding that waiting on Him to direct my next steps is worth the wait.
When He says move, I find it wise to move. It doesn’t need to make sense. I don’t need to know how it all unfolds. I know enough to know that He is trustworthy. I can fully submit to Him and trust that His plan for me is good.
I choose to remain submitted to Him and move forward with Him as He does His work and invites me to join Him. Take some time today and examine your life to see where you have moved ahead of Him. Repent over it and ask for His forgiveness. He will give it you freely and lighten your load as you relinquish it to him. Go further with Him by asking Him for His wisdom on how to move forward then wait. He gives wisdom to all who ask without finding fault in them (James 1:5). Wait for His wisdom to come. Wait for His Spirit to tell you to move. Wait on Him to give you His strength to accomplish the tasks He has set for you, those tasks He created for you that will help you find that abundant life He promised.