Where is Your STRENGTH?

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (NLT)

It seems that our world is full of anxiety, stress, fear, hatred, worries, frustration, anger, addictions, racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc. And I am just taking time to name a few of the emotions that appears to be running rampant in our modern society. I talk with people of various ages; various positions in life; various levels of education and even various views of God and the need for a relationship with Him. I am amazed that each of these groups to which I am referring have one thing in common.  They are looking for hope and for strength!!

We are not the first generation of people that have looked for strength to endure the trials and challenges of life. The history books of the world as well as the Bible reveal the stories of people who were looking for hope in the midst of their greatest difficulties. Some of our early American forefathers offered stirring speeches to rally the "Americans" in their battle for freedom to become an independent nation. Sir Winston Churchill offered some of his most famous and challenging speeches in the early days of WWII when London was being destroyed through the bombing of the city. Quoting my Day (another WWII) veteran, "Mr. Churchill was rallying the troops."

I am sharing the passage from Isaiah 40 today because I feel led to "rally" the spiritual troops. I don't have a stirring message to share (at least today). These written words of mine may not stir you as much as a great orator could stir you but I am acquainted with the author of the remarks that Isaiah is quoting. It was God who breathed His Word into the hearts and minds of the Prophets and Apostles and they wrote down those words of inspiration. We can trust in the source of Isaiah's "rally cry."

I know that many situations in our world may look bleak and troubling BUT in God and through God we can find the strength and hope we need to face today as well as our tomorrows. We can soar high in the strength and power of our God. We can find the strength and courage we need to continue our journey. Will we take the time to look to God and allow Him to provide the sustaining strength that each of us needs to face our individual set of trials as well as the trials that our nation is facing today?

Dominic Bouck shares some thoughts about the strength that was found in Charleston, SC a few days ago. "By the grace of God, for those at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, violence begets love, racism begets dignity, sin begets grace, hatred begets forgiveness."

AMEN!!!