Daily Bible Verses for 4/21/2016

Bible Verse
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.

Reading Notes
Isaiah was a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the reign of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He ministered primarily in and around Jerusalem. This section of scripture speaks of God’s salvation and is referring to the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian captivity, which was still yet future from the time Isaiah first spoke this message to the people. The exile occurred as a result of the people’s rebellion against God and refusal to accept the warnings of the prophets. This particular verse speaks about waiting on the Lord. This is a general Biblical principle which is just as true today as it was when Isaiah first spoke these words. God’s will, His judgments and His timing are perfect, even though trials are difficult to bear they can function as chastisement, which is meant to bring us back into fellowship with God or to build us spiritually stronger. In addition, as believers, we have to remember that God does not operate on our time-table.

When we take matters into our own hands, we may not only be prolonging the trial, but in the end, we could have much less than God had in store for us, because we did not wait upon the Lord. We must remember that patience and prayer is often rewarded by God blessing us with the strength that we did not realize we had until the trial has passed. In addition, it is often during trials that true spiritual growth occurs. Those times when we have exhausted all of our resources and there is nothing left, but to trust in the Lord. These are the times spiritual growth occurs. It’s only when those times have passed that we can look back and see the spiritual growth in us accomplished by the Lord. Moreover, God may allow difficulties and trials to occur in our life in order to prepare us for His kingdom work which may lie ahead of us. Trials that seem impossible to bear and tribulations that may hurt us deeply now, can serve to strengthen us spiritually. Like a metal forged in a flame the Lord will often use trials in our lives to mold us into servants who can truly help those around us and make a difference for His kingdom.