"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" - Isaiah 40:31 (NIV).
Anyone who has started on a project knows how long some can take. There is a family that took 20 years building their residence. It looked like forever and they were often close to abandoning the project. The time of waiting can be quite frustrating.
Once a man going by Zechariah, the leader of the people of Judah, had a great task to perform. After he led the first exiles back from the Babylonian captivity, he was called by God to begin the re-building of the temple in Jerusalem. In the first two years the foundation of the temple was laid, but then work came to a standstill for 17 years because of the disruptive activity of the Samaritan people.
You too could have started on a project and events come and disrupt it. For instance there was Covid pandemic or the current fuel crisis. Maybe it is an unexpected personal situation. When Zechariah's task appeared doomed an angel from the Lord appeared concerning the completion of the temple project and gave him a message of hope - the mountain shall be leveled. “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you" (Zaccharia 4:7).
There is saying delay does not mean denial. Like Zachariah, your project may have been temporary affected and nothing seems to be moving. Yet if it was of God it will surely get back to speed and you will see if to completion, just as it were!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that for that project of mine which seems to be on hold and close to abandoning I may not loose hope but because of faith in you look up to you to see it to the end, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
-
19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
