Today’s Reading:
Isaiah 40:21-31(Psalm 24:1)
"The earth is the Lord's, and its fullness, The world and all who dwell therein".
(Psalm. 24:1 NIV)
Prophet Isaiah declares the majesty of God over the idols worshipped by other nations. God intimately knows the universe He has created and He is fully in control (Psalm. 24:1). No one instructs Him, He is all knowing (vv.12-14). God’s people Israel also referred to as Jacob, with a shallow concept of God, felt that God has forsaken them and were discouraged. But prophet Isaiah in the passage today is reminding them of the greatness of God. Our greatest human strength is not enough to meet our challenges of life; but the powerful Creator God gives us power (v.29). When we wait upon, depend on the Lord, He renews and exchanges His strength for our weakness. Our soaring with wings as eagles or running is not the climax but rather, our sought after prize of our walking is present here as the mainstay of our Christian experiences. Being able to serve God in the mountain top experiences of our lives, especially when we soar with God is really not the difficult issue. The most challenging time of service can be in the monotonous, everyday grind of life when we feel like we are just spinning our wheels and not making any progress. At this time, we can always exchange our weakness with God’s strength even in our everyday walk and striving of life (vv.27-31).
When we regularly cultivate the habit of quietly waiting upon the Lord, spending time alone with him in studying and meditating upon His word; in prayer; in worship or just allowing our spirit of deliberately be quiet (v. 31), we are encouraged, re-energised, re-vitalised, our body organs, minds and emotions are renewed, repaired and restored. We feel light and are able to go about the rigours of the day’s chores. In our quiet time, God empowers us to face everything we need to do with renewed physical emotional, mental and spiritual strength. Most of our fatigue comes from being too busy with what we can delegate to others, a large part from our style of living – how we think, talk and act towards other people and largely through unforgiveness. These give the enemy a landing, a hold to torment our spirit. Also, the Holy Spirit will not energise us to be mean, hateful, selfish or self-cantered. He will only give strength to do things pleasing unto God, what He has called us to do - to be kind, be focused, loving, and diligent.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your in-depth knowledge of me, and crowning me with your glory and honour, in Jesus name.
Father, thank you for where you have taken me from, where I am now and where you are taking me to, in Jesus name.
Father, keep me, my family and environment in the envelope of the blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
Father, help me day by day to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and to follow you more closely through the days of my life, in Jesus name.
Father, thank you for your church; revive and transform her into a citadel of power, solution, holiness and carrier of your glory here on earth, in Jesus name.
Father, thank you for upholding the nations of the world with the glory of your presence and power; in your mercy and compassion, let there by peace and progress, in Jesus name.