isaiah 40:31 sermon

In common daily duty we are to run in the ways of God's commandments; but the word is more frequently employed to denote some direct obedience to some special command. Spasmodic efforts are dangerous. Once more, the Christian is prompted to strenuous and persevering action by the appeal made to his desires. Whilst troubled days and years go by, In stillness hushed from stir and strife, Within Thine Arms I lie. What is it to wait? Untroubled quiet.4. By a sudden impetus or effort. The Bible speaks about waiting patiently, and also about waiting quietly. What is this activity?1. Horton, D. D.)Waiting in patienceT. It is like a banquet spread before one who has no appetite or whose habitual food is altogether different, or like a rich and perfect performance of music to one who is altogether destitute of any musical sense.II. "Waiting on the Lord" by prayer has the same effect on them that it has on an empty bucket to set it under a rain-spout. A thousand irksome duties become easy and pleasant if we do them with a ready mind, an affectionate zeal, and a happy alacrity. The corroding cares of the world should excite them to obtain the renewal of their strength. But all forms of waiting on the Lord involve the personal, conscious, voluntary act of the mind or soul within us, for which no mere ceremony or ritual can be a substitute. But in time the eye becomes dim, and the subtle beauties of a fine painting cannot be seen; the ear becomes dull, and the sweetest music charms no more. Capacity for the most strenuous exertion.IV. Seeking to become wise unto salvation out of His written Word, and in meditation on its soul-inspiring contents.III. Seeking to become wise unto salvation out of His written Word, and in meditation on its soul-inspiring contents. Not so; for the religion of the Bible is this: mounting up with wings of eagles, running and not wearying, walking and not fainting. The elements of this strength are (1) Faith, founded on Divine illumination. Ramsay.Nothing can give a better conception of the strength and the weakness of human nature, than by comparing what man has done in subduing the material powers by which God has surrounded him, and in providing for his own temporal comfort, and his utter helplessness in those things which relate to the life of the soul. 13. And the man who waits upon God enters into that eternal calm and blessedness.(F. I. The will is strengthened by holy exercises in godly purposes. Other images are used; those of the runner in the stadium, and the wrestler in the arena; but it is always on the walking that stress is laid. The excellency of dignity and the excellency of strength go both together, and he that falls from the one does, with Reuben, fall also from the other. 3. "I will run in the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart."3. At the best, however, these lofty flights can only be occasional. To walk we want something like continuous, sustained evenness of conduct, progressing quietly and steadily day by day in the common round of life; not impulsive, not capricious, not changeable; without show, humble, and always the same. When I have heard C. H. Spurgeon pray I have not been so astonished at some of his discourses.2. Thus Job says, unto me men gave ear, they waited, and kept silence at my counsel": which is as if he had said, "I had only to speak, and they were ready to obey my directions." As their work and their difficulty are renewed, so shall the vigour of their souls be renewed. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. This sounds as if they were in danger of becoming weary and faint in their minds. When I have heard C. H. Spurgeon pray I have not been so astonished at some of his discourses.2. Do not all the influences which go to make up the ever-teeming society? xl. We use it, too, with reference to the holding of an interview with a superior: a deputation "waits" upon the Prime Minister; the Prime Minister "waits" upon His Majesty. Alexander, D. D.I. (2) The affections. Just such a well of spiritual force is the Lord Jesus Christ. The young man who never overdid himself and felt utterly exhausted through some strenuous exertion in a great contest will never do much in the world he is not worth much- Not the tame, slow idlers, but the forceful men, the men who rejoice in their strength and to use their strength, the men who would rather drop than give in while another yard can be run, or another step be made, or another blow be struck for victory these are the men who will assuredly be carried on in the great enterprise until they are weary, and when weary will be carried on by their indomitable spirit, while others are seeking rest, until at last they reel and stagger and collapse. Cultivate also the habit of waiting for orders. We all grow weary physically and Spiritually. Spiritual strength especially consists in that exercise of faith called trust or confidence. In consequence of the exhausted spirits of the weary traveller never being renewed, some who did run well are hindered, and halt in their career; while others adopt altogether a retrograde movement, return to the path of their former delights, apostatise from the faith, and become worse than infidels.2. I brought but little there. ''Have ye not known, have ye not heard? Holy joy is an element of strength. God is so near. And when He Calls us home, He who sits upon the circle of the heavens, and sees all the sorrow of this world as you and I can never see it, bids us "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." A sense of our own weakness, and our need of Divine help.2. If, then, truth is eternal, and faith is omnipotent, why should any difficulties, however stupendous, or failures, however extensive, lead us to despair? He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. Let the stream flow on uninterruptedly, and all your need in the way of weakness, helplessness, ignorance, emptiness will be met moment by moment. For the old, for the young, for the sick and infirm, and even for such as may be tottering into the grave, he writes for them, and all he says is true and needful for their case. "The men of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." --ISAIAH xl. Howells.I. We come to a state in which there is a direct influence of the soul of God exerted upon us as direct as sight and voice are to the bodily senses. WE SEE WHAT THE LORD'S WAITING PEOPLE NEED. HOW SPIRITUAL STRENGTH MAY BE ACQUIRED; AND HOW RENEWED, WHEN IT HAS BEEN IMPAIRED. The "walking" is the most important part after all. 26 and 29. A more appropriate beginning of the book of consolations' could scarcely be conceived. It is that spiritual vigour of mind by which sin is overcome.2. "They shall mount up with wings as eagles," is God's preliminary; for the next promise is, "They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Though it seems tiny, it is real fire, and it can set the world ablaze. In simplicity of intention. RENEWAL OF STRENGTH MEANS A RENEWAL OF ACTIVITY. All the organs are there, but they want new strength. Thomas, D. D.)Waiting on GodJ. In short, it is a grace, just as much as the grace of faith, or love, or humility. Let us rejoice in the Lord evermore, and again we say, rejoice. He sees the clouds and mist around the planet, but not the world itself. Then there are many persons who renew their strength, who develop into a higher spiritual life, into more fevour, more joy, and more stability by reason of the removal of false or imperfect views of truth.4. V. This threefold description of mounting up, running and walking, presents three aspects of the same character. Hast thou less conscious nearness to the mercy-seat,--diminished communion with thy Saviour? To make our religion a delight and a glory we must surely wait on the Lord with songs of gladness and joy, praising Him more for what He is, and for what He has taught us to know and believe Him to be, than for the good gifts which His bounty hath bestowed.2. When the determination of the will is not only fixed but strong, then the soul is in a vigorous state. To wait upon Him implies a practical recognition of His existence, personal superintendence, and absolute authority. For this we need power. He outflies many of the petty vexations and grovelling desires that drag a worldling down into the mire. Nor can you force things in a normal and healthy child. HOW SHOULD SPIRITUAL STRENGTH BE EXHIBITED?1. L. Wiseman, B. A.But it is said the prophet gives us the natural order. We have not far to search for the answer.1. Usually we have, at any rate, just a little strength, and then waiting upon Him means not only prayer and uplooking, but doing His commandments like the angels, who because they do them excel in strength.II. And God, in His omnipotence and faithfulness, is willing to work in my heart every moment of the day.2. And then we come to the quiet, steady, persistent "walk." )Strength of soul made perfect by hope in GodW. I have often gone to Saratoga, in the heat of the early summer, quite run down, and my vitality burned out as coal gets exhausted in the bunkers of a steamer. Cultivate also the habit of waiting for orders. These two things seem very far away: man with his faintness, God with His eternity and inexhaustible omnipotence. L. Wiseman, B. A.Mount up with wings as eagles, run, walk. who can bring life out of decay? To think that we are labouring in vain is the thought that paralyses. Howells.I. B. Meyer, B. A.Any racehorse will start at full speed; but how few have staying power! We cannot have any good news for any age, or for any people, or for any soul, without Him. So, what a human being often needs is just motive power. The truth lies the other way! Now, among men the same thing happens. How far this strength shall operate, and what noble effects it shall produce, may be seen by the following words.III. In point of ease. For every new occasion, every new trial, every new labour, we shall get new power. Holy joy is an element of strength. Halsey.We find the same idea also in the New Testament with spiritual applications. In religious experience youth is the time of wings. We know that they develop first by the body. A change from one measure of strength to another. There is little or no effort in holy ecstasy, and its very joy is an inspiration. That God will "renew our strength." Hence it is for these that the prophet chiefly writes. V. 1, 2), the words occur which are quoted by St. Matthew and St. Mark (Is. xl. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on John NewtonMessiah Vol. They are not. As bodily health is only found in a well-balanced and healthy state of the corporeal functions, so spiritual strength can only be found in souls into which new life has been infused, and is in vigorous exercise. "Waiting upon the Lord." One man's desires, and therefore his hopes, will go forth in the direction of the pleasures of sense. But he saith of a certain number, "My people." There had been no heaven-sent sign to assure them that there was any F. Vaughan, M. As our natural life requires to be nourished by suitable food from day to day, without which it would decline and death would ensue, so the spiritual life of the Christian needs to be recruited continually, with the nutriment which is suited to its growth and strength. 1The HarbingerThe voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Thence the word came to signify patience as opposed to worry and despondency. EXODUS XV. In religious experience youth is the time of wings. "They shall mount up with wings as eagles," etc. Impatience, too, weakens. But as they came round the curve from one line to the other friction and gravitation asserted their power. In point of honour, and that especially with God Himself. Trust in the Lord.II. Although we cannot always account for these moods of the soul, we might all experience them more frequently if our habitual attitude were more of a "waiting upon God." If not, some other hope will be cherished, for not to hope is not to live. If you want the flash of a new inspiration the man of God will receive it; if you want swift progress the man of God is equal to it; if you want steady perseverance you shall find it in the man of God also. To "look off" unto the eternal, to get behind the veil into the realm of true being is the need of the fevered and exhausted soul. We are not exhorted to be strong in ourselves, but "in the Lord, and in the power of His might." Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The inertness of the despondent continually deepens their despondency, increases their weakness, and aggravates their misery. It promoteth that humility which is our greatest security, and restrains that pride which goeth before a fall. We see the years move on, and the everlasting truth subdue all to itself. Luther changed the course of the centuries by faith. 2. L. Wiseman, B. It was the experience of its necessity and efficacy that made Luther what he was, and G. Yet, further, there is a waiting on the Lord which is neither prayer nor praise, but silent and serene contemplation, when the mind muses upon His wondrous works and ponders over the stupendous fact that the infinite and eternal God can and will and does come near to the soul of His finite and imperfect creature man, and permits the ineffable solace and privilege of communion with Himself.3. The meaning is obviously, They, all depend upon Thee; men and beasts alike.2. SOUL ELEVATION. Waiting, in the Scriptures, sometimes includes the idea which we affix to it in common life; namely, that of attendance or service.II. Then intuitions become truths not fitful, nor irregular, not based upon inchoate and undigested knowledge, but constant, regular, and founded on sound judgment.(H. I brought but little there. The bread of life for the hungry, the water of life for the thirsty.II. With glowing ardour and intense enthusiasm these elect souls go forth on this service, seeking to establish a knowledge of the true God, urging the heathen to accept the light they enjoy, and sharing with them as proselytes the peace and prosperity, brought by truth and righteousness. I turn now to dwell on THE NATURAL EFFECTS OF WAITING ON THE LORD, as stated by the prophet, and vouched for by myriads of the faithful and devout in all ages.1. Horton, D. D.This it nearly concerns us to do upon these considerations.1. Our utter impotence. Let me give four rules for this walk: (1)Start from Christ. It means prayer much more than an occasional supplication, however real; it means persistent, persevering, continual prayer; it means an abiding attitude of trustful dependence upon God; it means all that is wrapped up in those beautiful words, "Oh, rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him"; it means trust in the Lord and do good; it means trust in the Lord at all times, for with Him is everlasting strength, and have no confidence in self.2. THE CONDITION of all this. Whereas the man who has worn himself out by impatience, or yielded himself up to despair, is too inert or too distracted to take adequate advantage of the fresh opportunities which may come at last. This morning I want to show you how to live life to the . The tyro in cycling will go at full pelt; but only the experienced rider can walk or stand. This is not genuine strength, but real disease. What has he to trust in for the continuance of the hope that these desires shall be gratified? They wait with submission and resignation. With pleasure contemplate the animating result of this renewal of strength. There may he a vigour which is the effect of a disordered state of the corporeal system a feverish or spasmodic action which is much more violent than the strength of a healthy man. Poor and barren and diseased must that heart be which has no song of praise to sing, no gratitude to pour forth for past deliverances and for present mercies, which has no emotion of adoring love for a goodness so infinite and untiring. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. "Oh to have watched thee through the vineyards wander, Pluck the ripe ears, and into evening roam!-- Followed, and known that in the twilight yonder Legions of angels shone about thy home!" "Wait on the Lord," says Solomon, "and He shall save thee." But at the last, evil is found to be in its nature only decay. Fortitude and patience under affliction is also the effect of that renewing and increase of spiritual strength, which is received from waiting on the Lord. Halsey. HOW SHOULD SPIRITUAL STRENGTH BE EXHIBITED? Although we have a perfect right to go to God and pour out every wish and longing of our hearts, worthy and unworthy alike, yet this is not by any means the whole or the highest part of communion with Him. New strength will come to us for all holy enterprise in proportion as we trust in God for results. L. Wiseman, B. Here is speciality. It was the experience of its necessity and efficacy that made Luther what he was, and G. A. True waiting upon the Lord seems to have three features, which we suppose to be contained in the words here used.1. To pursue the common track of daily duty not faltering nor growing weary to do so when novelty has worn off, when the elasticity of youth has vanished, when the applause of the crowd has become dim and faint this is the greatest achievement of the Christian life. (2) The continuance of this motion. Full provision has been made to supply this need of the soul. All men are influenced and governed by some kind of faith; but worldly men have no true faith in things spiritual and invisible. They do not know by experience the blessings of communion, and therefore these outward aids in public worship are of little use to them. A. Watch it a bit and down it comes again; the power has spent itself. )The blessedness of Divine serviceD. It is the daily walk along the beaten path that reveals the depth and sincerity of our religion. L. Cuyler, D. D.)Waiting on the LordC. 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The influences which isaiah 40:31 sermon to make up the ever-teeming society D. D. ) waiting on the Lord to. Gives us the natural order and persevering action by the body written Word, and also about patiently... Truth subdue all to itself beginning of the soul, without Him to become wise unto salvation out His...

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