By: Juliet Constantine
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 40:30-31 NKJV)
It happened many years ago. The stubborn strength of one man infuriated and intensified the hatred of a ‘prince’ whose mission it was to destroy all God’s people wherever they’re found. Mordecai was a servant of God living in exile in Shushan. I guess he must have determined that though he was removed by force from his home in Jerusalem, they could not remove the knowledge of his God from his heart. He had pledged to serve the God of his fathers, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, irrespective of where he lived or what situation he faced.
Faithfully serving God will always get you into trouble. Why so? Because you are different from the world; and the contrast is too much for the world to appreciate. That is why Jesus warns that if you love the world you are not worthy of Him. You cannot embrace the world and God at the same time. They do not blend, nor will they cleave to each other.
Mordecai was a good person. He was faithful to his duties working in the king’s place and sitting in the gate. But he did not confuse nor compromise his faithfulness as an employee to giving worship to a man. He would not bow to Haman or anyone else. He bowed only to the God of Heaven. His refusal to bow to a man led to a decree for the impending destruction of God’s people in Shushan and its territories. Still, he wasn’t afraid. He, together with all God’s people, sought God in fasting and prayer for deliverance. And what a deliverance God wrought. On eagles’ wings, you may say, God lifted Mordecai and elevated him to be second in charge behind the king.
You may be facing tough decision about your life, about your future. You may feel that all sides are closing in on you. Rest assured. All isn’t lost. All hope isn’t gone. Pray and fast and wait on God. The promise wasn’t just for Esther and Mordecai. It’s for us too and to our children, and our children’s children. “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Don’t run before Him or take things into your own hands. Let God handle it for you. You only need to pray and fast and wait.
Through Isaiah, God sends His message of comfort to you. He wants you to be comforted. Isaiah’s message to you is, “Your warfare is ended. Be comforted.” Are you weak? God gives power to the weak. Do you lack might? God will give you strength. Those who expect you to roll over and die, to fade in shadows, will be amazed at your renewed strength. Are you feeling old and burnt-out? Discouraged? Rest assured. Your strength will be renewed and you will have more vigor than the young. You will mount up like eagles. You will not get weary and you will not faint. Be assured that you have eagles’ wings. Just wait on the Lord.
Our Heavenly Father, it is so easy for us to try to fix things for ourselves, without waiting on You and on Your time. So, today we ask of You, teach us how to wait on You. We are assured that the warfare is ended. May we take courage knowing that our strength will be renewed like eagles’ because Your are our God. This is our prayer, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
