By David Phillips
Spiritual Multitasking
Number 20, can you believe that? In one way, it doesn’t seem like there’s been enough time for twenty of these since I started. In another way, it seems like this Coronavirus pandemic has been going on and on for a long time. Let’s hope, and pray, that it is about to start winding down.
In worship this morning, the sermon will be connected to Isaiah 40:31, which says …but they who wait for 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.
The phrase wait for the Lord occurs at least 5 times in the Old Testament, 4 in the Psalms and twice in Isaiah. Here, in the verse we are studying in worship today, Isaiah is speaking to God’s people “who were suffering a long and grievous captivity in Babylon, and who had no prospect of deliverance but in Him… The promise or assurance here is general in its nature, and is applicable to His people now as it was in the times of the captivity in Babylon”. (Albert Barnes, 1847)
It is important that we understand that this instruction does not imply inactivity on our part. Our current concept of “waiting” usually involves the idea of sitting around and doing nothing. Those who have perfected the ability to “be busy” while at the same time, waiting for something or someone, are uniquely industrious. This command from God’s word leaves plenty of room for spiritual multitasking.
Through this entire chapter of Isaiah 40, God’s greatness and might are in view. Over and over, it is argued that none is well-suited and able to bring about deliverance for His people like God is. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:28-29)
Our waiting needs to be trusting, patient and obedient. It must be active, filled with the things we can do that are the normal avenues through which God brings about His blessings. Wait for the Lord. He will renew our strength.
I pray that you will have a good Lord’s Day!