It's been almost 3 months since I started the series on waiting on the Lord (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). During that time, we have gone through a lot - moving house, summer holidays, Christmas and New Years, kids starting a new school year, challenges in the fellowship, friends' major health issues, etc. Wow, lots! And all the emotional roller-coaster that comes with that!
And sometimes we wonder where we will get the strength to make it through all this. Or even IF we will get through it! But that is the beauty of waiting on the Lord. We looked a bit at this passage in the last few posts on waiting on the Lord. And in these last few months and weeks, we have truly lived it also!
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.
Isa 40.31
I have often read or quoted this passage to others. But these last few weeks, it has made more sense to me. We have experienced, that in life there are times we soar like eagles, effortlessly gliding on the rising air currents, keenly surveying all below us. And there are times in life when we run without hitting the proverbial 'wall' - we're firing on all pistons, so to speak. Our stride is confident and sure, our breathing is easy and deep and we're just taking in all the sights and sound of life along the way.
And then there are times when we can barely walk - our soles and souls are raw, blistered, open, bleeding, hurting. Our heads and shoulders hang low, burdened with the weight of the world. We are unable to see more than a few paces ahead, because in the valley of the shadow of death that we traverse, it is dark. And we find no comfort in companionship because there are none - we alone tread upon this path.
And yet, we do not faint, we do not quit, we do not turn around, we do not stop, but we plod on forward, step by painful step. How can we do this? Ahhhh, because we are waiting on the Lord and renewing our strength. We move forward, even if only by inches instead of feet. But we ARE moving forward, making headway, gaining ground, going THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. That is the promise we have in God's Word - as we wait upon the Lord.
And we have the promise of God Himself - that He has gone before us and knows the way and understands everything we are going through. And that in fact, we are not alone but He is with us and will NEVER forsake us.
And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you.
He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed
Deut 31.6,8
Just think - our Lord Jesus also walked a lonely hard road to His death. And yet it was with joy that He walked to Calvary, endured the Cross and now sits at the right hand of God the Father, basking in God's glory and pleasure (Heb 12.1-2). And we too, will one day (soon!) be in the presence of God ourselves.
So keep plodding on, faithful pilgrim! Remember we are but sojourners on this earth. Our destiny and destination on this journey is Home. And we're almost there.
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