Be Still, Be Strong, Be Sure, and Be Secure in the LORD

Be Still, Be Strong, Be Sure, and Be Secure in the LORD (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Isaiah 40:28-31, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. [29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [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.”

The word "wait" means "to look eagerly for something or someone; to hope or expect." The flavor of this word indicates persistence. Eagerness or expectation provoke persistence. David talked often about “waiting on God.” He said he was waiting on God all day and desired that none that waited on God would be ashamed (Psalm 25:3). Over and over again we read of David waiting on God. To wait on the LORD is to trust Him. Waiting on God is essential to trusting Him. David was pleading for God to lead him. All day, we should be in the habit of waiting on God. We should be looking eagerly for what God is going to do, how God is going to lead us, what God is going to teach us. Psalm 25:5, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Shortly after starting her perfume business, Estee Lauder realized she had to persuade a cosmetics buyer to place her products in many stores throughout the country. At 9 A.M., Lauder was in the offices of the American Merchandising Corporation, waiting to see Marie Weston, the cosmetics buyer. Since Lauder had no appointment, she was advised to come back another day. "I don't mind waiting," said Lauder. "I'll wait until she has a few free moments." Salespeople came and went.

At lunchtime, the receptionist said Weston's schedule was so full that getting in to see her was impossible. Again, Lauder was told to come back later. "I'll wait a little longer," she persisted. Hours passed. At 5:15 P.M. Marie Weston came out of her office. She looked at Estee Lauder in disbelief, then admiration, and said, "Well, do come in. Such patience must be rewarded." Weston was impressed with Lauder's cosmetics, but there was no room in any of the stores. Come back later, she was encouraged. Of course, Estee did. Soon, Weston found room in several stores. Business began to boom. The Estee Lauder name became famous in the world of cosmetics because she was persistent in waiting.

Psalm 112:7-8, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.”

The word "fixed" in Psalm 112:7 means "to be firm, stable, or established." In Psalm 112:8, the word "established" means "to lean upon, to rest, to refresh or revive." The psalmist was not overwhelmed by fear and anxiety in times of trouble because his trust was in the Lord and not in himself, or in outward circumstances. Our stability and rest come from putting our security in Christ. The one who fears God will not fear circumstances or people because his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord.

We, too, are to be persistent in waiting on God when we need His strength and serenity. This is not easy for many people because they tend to be impatient or reliant on something else for their strength. God wants us to be persistent in being still and waiting on Him to direct our lives and provide for our needs.

In spite of our fears and worries, God wants us to be persistent in trusting Him. Our trust, our sureness or security is solid and stable when it is placed in the Saviour. When we put our trust in the Lord, it gives us stability and serenity.

Life is never easy nor fair. There will be problems and hardships. But no matter how bad things get, we serve and trust a God who has overcome. We must determine to press forward in spite of the obstacles, knowing God can use them to accomplish an even greater purpose through us. Take heart and don’t lose sight, for God can demonstrate His power through your perseverance.

Questions to Consider:
· In what parts of your life are you practicing endurance?
· What is your plan for walking close to Christ right to the end?

Points to Ponder:

• The Lord’s prescription for strength is to turn to Him, trust Him, and then wait on Him.
• Take a moment right now and ask God to give you a persevering spirit.

Prayer, Lord, Help me lean on You with everything I’ve got, living out my faith in You one day at a time. Never let me lose my sense of dependence on You. Keep me pressing on as I follow in Your Son’s steps, realizing it is Your plan to use my time here to grow me into someone more and more like Him. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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