They Who Wait for the Lord Shall Renew their Strength

They Who Wait for the Lord Shall Renew their Strength

In today’s sinful world, we can easily find reasons for despair. In Isaiah’s day, there was even more reason for despair. They lived within a promise that they would be the chosen people to bring Christ into the world but corruption infiltrated everything. The people themselves, their worship practice and government had become so corrupt that God looked at them and said “There is no remedy.” It appeared that all hope was lost.

Yet, the Lord is faithful and does not waver in His promises. We know that Christ came, and that He fulfilled all the promises of the Old Testament.

Today, nations rise against nations. Leaders abuse power to their own ends. Families are torn apart. Churches sit empty. Even though it doesn’t look like anything is under control, the same God that promised Christ to Israel promises to return for us. To raise us on the last day. Just like the Jews in Jesus’ day, we can look forward to this through His Word, and faith.

Read below from today’s sermon text taken from Isaiah 40,

21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
    and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
25 To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 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.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 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.

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Announcements

Our doors are open. We are holding the Divine Service again and it is a delight to see familiar faces. Please come prepared with a face mask or covering and new rules to follow. There will NOT be Sunday School but we will continue to hold the Divine Service at 11 am. You can read the full policy here. Another post covers the highlights.

Wednesday Bible Study – We have resumed meeting via Zoom at 7 pm. Please contact Pastor if you need a Zoom invite.

NEW Bible Information Class Starting: All are welcome to join – whether it’s your first time or a refresher – we will meet starting on February 7 at 9:30 am. Please let Pastor know ahead of time if you plan to attend.

Donations: Unfortunately the expenses go on. If you wish to make a donation please mail them to the St. James post office box as that is a secure location.

Prayer requests. Bring your prayer requests to Pastor Jenson, Deacon Poe, or Loyd Harris (bulletin typist). They will printed in the bulletin and prayed in the Sunday service. The deadline is Tuesday for mailing on Wednesday. Remember if you are bringing a prayer request on behalf of another person their permission must be obtained.

Prayer during a pandemic:

Almighty God, heavenly Father, give us grace to trust You during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to the pandemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all that mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labors, and cause Your people ever to serve You in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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