“I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.” Psalm 69:3 NKJV
A question I have always had in regards to living in the end times is just how much discomfort are believers going to be subjected to as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ for His church? Lately it would appear that the answer to that may be uncomfortable as more and more I am hearing about situations where dedicated, committed believers being subjected to trials they never suspected would occur. Many are a direct result of the situation brought about this past year as I hear of Christians losing their jobs, having trouble paying their bills, and even struggling to put food on the table. Of course, it should come as no surprise that the natural question which results from these situations is simply "why"? As a believer, shouldn't we be able to expect God to spare us from these troubles?
The reality is, that question is not a new one. How many times in the Old
Testament can you recall someone asking God "why"? By now most are
aware of the conflict this past week between Israel and Hamas, and I believe it
is safe to say there are many in Israel asking the same question. With so many in the world experiencing
difficulties at this present time, it seems perfectly natural to wonder at
times if God is aware of our struggles. With that in mind, I want to share
something that Isaiah wrote about the subject of wondering if God is really paying
attention.
“Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from
the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? Have you not known?
Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of
the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He
gives power to the weak, And to [those who have] no might He increases
strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall
utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They
shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They
shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:27-31 NKJV
Obviously from this passage, we can see that Israel was complaining to God that
He was obviously unaware of their suffering because He had not done anything
about it. They were feeling as if God had abandoned them, and was either
unaware or unwilling to do anything to alleviate their suffering. Especially
interesting is the idea we see that the people felt that God was obliged to
deliver them! Do you notice the words "just claim"? They felt as
God's chosen people, they should somehow be immune to struggles. I am sure many
today are experiencing those same feelings as they experience the hardships
that seem so prevalent as a result of the events of the past year. Yet Isaiah
goes on to answer those feelings by telling us three things we need to remember
when we experience trials in our lives.
First of all, Isaiah reminds us that God is never asleep, or too tired to
listen to our cries for help. He doesn't "faint" or get
"weary", and believe it or not, He has a plan that we as humans may
not "understand". His ways are not our ways, but Isaiah assures us
that even though we may not understand, or agree, God's ways are not our ways.
Secondly, Isaiah assures us that God will give us the "power" and the
"strength" we need to endure. It seems here as if we are being told that
within the body of Christ there are three levels of maturity. The
"youth" would refer to those who are new and relatively immature
believers who would struggle the most when experiencing these kinds of
difficulties. The "young men" would be those who have grown enough to
endure a bit longer, but still struggle with circumstances they could not
control. Those who are able to "wait", however, are those believers
mature enough in their faith to understand that God is always faithful to
provide the strength we need to endure.
Third, Isaiah uses a beautiful example of an eagle to picture what life as a
mature believer can be. Can anyone imagine running and never getting tired, or
walking forever without running out of gas? Fortunately for me, I live in an area
where all I have to do to watch eagles is drive a mile to the river that runs
through a canyon south of town and I can spend hours watching bald eagles fish
and hunt for their food. If you have never had the opportunity to do something
like that, I want to share a few observations about eagles.
One of the first things you notice when you get up close and personal with an
eagle is just how big their wings are. I don't understand how they can fold
them up so small, but when they unfold their wings to take off they are
impressive. It is common to see eagles with a wingspan of 6-7 feet, and when
they fly by 20 feet or so away you usually feel like ducking. Of course, with
wings that big it is amazing to see the size of fish they can take off with.
It’s not uncommon to see them catch salmon bigger than they are! The strength
they possess is just amazing to watch, and to see them dive on the river and
come up with a fish that size just takes your breath away. Then of course, we
come to the hunt. As you observe them in flight, you get the feeling that
eagles can soar forever. They simply sit over the river riding the air currents
and never appear to move their wings. They often soar for hours without seeming
to expend any effort at all until they spot dinner swimming below.
Is it any wonder God chooses to use the eagle as an illustration of His care
and concern for His own? The power and strength and endurance is there for us
when we need it, but what is required of us most is to wait. We are an
impatient people who want answers and action right now, but our God is a God of
patience and deliberation.
"Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him
out of them all." Psalms 34:19 NKJV
While the struggles many are facing may be diverse, I believe a constant that
most all of us are experiencing is weariness.
I know of so many who are tired, both physically and mentally after all
we have been through this past year. Yet
God tells us that as faithful, righteous believers we will suffer afflictions.
However the proper response is to wait upon the Lord who is not only able, but
promises to give us the strength we need to soar like eagles. Note in the
passage from Isaiah that God does not promise to take away the suffering, but
rather to give us "strength and endurance" so we can be delivered
through it. When believers suffer, rather than growing tired or fainting, we
need to ask for strength and wait for the promises of God as a witness to those
around us that God indeed will provide what we need.
Please join me in praying for those who are struggling as we approach the end
of this age. Never forget, God is faithful.
Keep watching.
