Monday November 29, 2021

Today is Monday, November 29 and during this first week of Advent we explore what the Bible says about waiting.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus my mind on the Lord’s beautiful presence.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I worship and praise your holy name. I wait quietly and patiently to hear your voice. Reveal the message you have for me today through the power of your Holy Spirit. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his goodness with the words of Psalm 27.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

Pause and Pray

Isaiah worked as a prophet during many kingdoms of ancient Israel. Isaiah spent most of his time in Jerusalem and prophesied judgment against the people for their sins. He foresaw the coming captivity in Babylon, but he also offered the people hope and promised they would return home someday. The Holy One of Israel would redeem them despite their sins and salvation would extend to the ends of the earth through the Messiah. The fortieth chapter of Isaiah is a great comfort to the people. The prophet declares God’s promise to redeem them. They can wait in hope for the promised Messiah to come and be confident they will rise up in strength.

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 strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those 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. Isaiah 40:28-31

As I begin another Advent season journey with God, I reflect on the words of Isaiah. I ask myself what I do not know and what I have not heard. Perhaps God has something new for me to know and hear at the beginning of this Christian year. Isaiah juxtaposes human faintness and weariness with the everlasting God who never grows faint or weary. I consider how weary I have been in this season. Weary of bad news, weary of negativity, weary of Covid-19, weary of conflict, disagreements, divisions, and disappointments. What can I point to in my current circumstances that causes me to feel drained or tired? What makes me exhausted? When do I feel powerless? What is the source of my weariness?

Ask: What does the Bible tell me to do when I feel weary or exhausted? What does it mean to wait for the Lord?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, Father in heaven, you are the everlasting Creator and have produced beauty to the ends of the earth. Your knowledge and understanding is far beyond my comprehension. Help me recognize my spiritual fatigue and places of tiredness. I come to you and ask for you to renew my strength and restore me. I read Isaiah again, listening for the message you have for me today.

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 strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those 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. Isaiah 40:28-31

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture? I wait for the Lord to reveal his message to me. Often I assume I know what God is thinking, I have already heard it all. I know the answer. Yet God’s knowledge and understanding is vast and I cannot fathom it. I consider what Isaiah promises the Lord will give me – power, strength, and renewal. A restored ability to run the race before me with perseverance. The opportunity to walk the way of holiness without tiredness. I will make good progress in this life, because that is God’s desire for me. The key to finding renewed strength and power in my life is nestled in this verse, “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” I reflect on how well I wait for the Lord in various circumstances. When do I commit myself to prayer and wait for the Lord to show up and act in my life and when do I decide what is best and run ahead of God in my own power?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I invite you into my heart, my life, my circumstances. Forgive me for my lack of trust and obedience. Clearly reveal the next steps you have for me. Enable me to make progress on my spiritual journey and strengthen me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to be patient and wait on your love, grace and power to come into my life. Amen.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Psalm 30:18

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with patient expectation, waiting for the Lord to move and act for good in my life. Amen.