GAINING STRENGTH

In a time when great judgments were falling on the nation all around him, Isaiah testified that he had a double portion of peace.

The same wonderful outlook that Isaiah had in the perilous times of his day is available to us also. This promise of rest applies to all “whose mind is stayed on You” (see Isaiah 26:3).

Even though Isaiah was overwhelmed by what he saw happening in his world, Scripture reveals that he enjoyed great serenity. There were two reasons for this:

First, as judgments were poised to strike the nations, Isaiah was in constant communion with God in prayer. “Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You” (Isaiah 26:8). Isaiah was prepared for anything because he was already “praying without ceasing.”

I must ask you: As the storms rage, are you going to the Lord in prayer, as Isaiah did? If you are, then you’re gaining strength, because your mind is becoming fixed on the love of your sovereign heavenly Father, and He is continually revealing His power to you and encouraging you that you will make it through.

The apostle Paul reassures us with this instruction: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8, my italics).

In other words: “You have heard all the warnings. Now, take heed to what God’s Word reveals and to what His watchmen are saying. And, finally, fix your thoughts on Jesus and His goodness.”