Waiting for Strength

There are those sermons that wipe you out. Last week's message on Isaiah 56.9—57.21 (addressing some of the issues and sins in our town) was such a sermon. It's Thursday and I still do not feel like I have recovered! So a few thoughts (more for my own processing because I don't know if anybody reads this anymore) loosely strung together regarding prayer…

I must simply wait on the Lord. He is my "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46.1). I must remember that it is His battle; He is with me as the Lord Almighty (vs. 7): for He is the Lord of Host, the Commander of Heaven's Armies and my Warrior God! I must listen and accept His invitation to "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

As I wait for His strength, I'll be OK that I do not feel like I have any word from the Lord about what to DO about being salt and light in our city. I said it on Sunday (I've said it before and will say it again), 'we need to stop acting like prayer is our last line of defense and start operating like prayer is our first line of offence.' It is interesting that in Isaiah 59.17 there is this cool foreshadowing of the armor of God, which I think goes toward my argument that the armor of God IS JESUS! Anyway, I hope there are those who will pray the reality of Jesus into our city, circumstances and situations.