Still We RiseStill We RiseIsaiah 40:21-31

“The old one’s remind us that slavery’s chains / Have paid for our freedom again and again.”

“The old one’s remind us that slavery’s chains / Have paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March.

“The old one’s remind us that slavery’s chains / Have paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March. “The ancestors remind us, despite the history of

pain, / We are a going-on people who will rise again.”

“The old one’s remind us that slavery’s chains / Have paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March. “The ancestors remind us, despite the history of

pain, / We are a going-on people who will rise again.”

Her closing line: “And still we rise.”

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth

of Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth

of Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth

of Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth

of Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal. The NAACP was founded.

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to

eradicate “race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth

of Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal. The NAACP was founded. We now have an African-American President.

We white folk can’t really fathom the problems faced by earlier generations of African-Americans.

We white folk can’t really fathom the problems faced by earlier generations of African-Americans. Being born after the Civil Rights Movement, I can’t

fathom discrimination based on someone’s skin color.

We white folk can’t really fathom the problems faced by earlier generations of African-Americans. Being born after the Civil Rights Movement, I can’t

fathom discrimination based on someone’s skin color.

But, the Israelites to whom Isaiah writes in tonight’s text knew those problems quite well.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians. Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians. Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple (there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians. Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple (there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been thinking?

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians. Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple (there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been thinking? Where are all the great promises of God?

Isaiah’s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries &

chapters 40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon

to keep a tight reign on them. The exiles served as servants & slaves to the

Babylonians. Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple (there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been thinking? Where are all the great promises of God? It’s against that background that Isaiah pens these

words to the exiles.

Isaiah 40:21-31

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.”

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might

wonder where God is.

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might

wonder where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.”

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might

wonder where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.”

How shall we rise?

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might

wonder where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.”

How shall we rise? We shall rise through:

THE PICTURE OF GOD. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. THE POWER OF GOD. THE PATIENCE OF GOD.

The Picture of God

v 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?” (v 21, ESV).

“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?” (v 21, ESV).

God here tells his people to check their picture of who he is.

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the beginning.

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the beginning. Their parents were to teach them.

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the beginning. Their parents were to teach them. “These words that I command you today shall be

on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the beginning. Their parents were to teach them. “These words that I command you today shall be

on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

God had done so very much for the Israelites.

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the beginning. Their parents were to teach them. “These words that I command you today shall be

on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

God had done so very much for the Israelites. Was it too much to expect that the same God still had their best interests at heart?

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?”

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the

earth.

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the

earth. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the

earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-6, ESV).

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the

earth. Job 38:4-6.

Couldn’t the God who made the world from nothing “recreate” his people?

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for despair—they simply needed to check their PICTURE OF GOD.

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for despair—they simply needed to check their PICTURE OF GOD. How many times do we despair because we don’t

check our PICTURE OF GOD?

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for despair—they simply needed to check their PICTURE OF GOD. How many times do we despair because we don’t

check our PICTURE OF GOD? Tonight, do we need to check our PICTURE OF

GOD?

The Providence of God

vv 22-24

“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; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 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” (vv 22-24, ESV).

The idea of God’s sitting upon the circle of the earth is that God sits high above the earth from whence he can watch man.

The idea of God’s sitting upon the circle of the earth is that God sits high above the earth from whence he can watch man.

The idea of God’s sitting upon the circle of the earth is that God sits high above the earth from whence he can watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the leaders of the world.

The idea of God’s sitting upon the circle of the earth is that God sits high above the earth from whence he can watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the leaders of the world. The point is that the Israelites in Babylon didn’t need

to fret because of their captors, for God was ultimately in control.

The idea of God’s sitting upon the circle of the earth is that God sits high above the earth from whence he can watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the leaders of the world. The point is that the Israelites in Babylon didn’t need

to fret because of their captors, for God was ultimately in control.

God, in his providence, allowed just the right rulers in Babylon to serve his purposes.

God has always been in control of the rulers of the world.

God has always been in control of the rulers of the world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you

my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Ex 9:16, ESV).

God has always been in control of the rulers of the world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you

my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV).

God has always been in control of the rulers of the world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you

my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV). The Book of Esther well demonstrates God’s providence.

God has always been in control of the rulers of the world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you

my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV). The Book of Esther well demonstrates God’s providence. The word “God” does not appear in the Book, but it is he

who is the “invisible Worker” to bring about his purpose.

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the Captivity.

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when

he was puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33).

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when

he was puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33). “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this

writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Dan 5:24-28, ESV).

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when

he was puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33). “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this

writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Dan 5:24-28, ESV).

That very night Darius took the kingdom from Belshazzar (Dan 5:30).

3 or 4 different rulers reigned in Babylon

during the Israelites were there.

God is ultimately in control!

The Power of God

vv 25-28

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? 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. 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’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is theeverlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (vv 25-28, ESV).

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other gods around them.

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other gods around them. The other gods hadn’t lead their people into

captivity; the other gods weren’t impotent to help their people against foreign invaders.

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other gods around them. The other gods hadn’t lead their people into

captivity; the other gods weren’t impotent to help their people against foreign invaders.

Surely, the Israelites were tempted to think that God wasn’t all that powerful.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.”

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be!

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be! The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the

earth.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be! The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the

earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of

idols the Israelites saw in captivity.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be! The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the

earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of

idols the Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be! The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the

earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of

idols the Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning. All of those idols had an end.

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness ofthe creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by

name, & knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars.

That feat alone demonstrates God’s great power. Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn’t supposed to be! The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the

earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of

idols the Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning. All of those idols had an end.

God made the earth, but idols are made out of the earth!

God does not faint or grow weary.

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

“All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together. The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint” (Is 44:9-12, ESV).

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

“All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together. The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint” (Is 44:9-12, ESV).

If those who made idols became weary, how much good could the idols be??!!

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols. On the other hand, this references God’s people.

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols. On the other hand, this references God’s people.

A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary.

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols. On the other hand, this references God’s people.

A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary: “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” (v 30, ESV).

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols. On the other hand, this references God’s people.

A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary: “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” (v 30, ESV).

But, their God never becomes weary!

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon.

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “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’?” (v 27, ESV).

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “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’?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God’s power, he knew about the plight of the captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan.

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “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’?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God’s power, he knew about the plight of the captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan. Before the Babylonian Captivity, the Israelites struggled

greatly with idolatry.

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “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’?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God’s power, he knew about the plight of the captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan. Before the Babylonian Captivity, the Israelites struggled

greatly with idolatry. But, after this captivity, idolatry is no longer a problem.

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV).

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus.

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus. This text serves as an example of that.

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus. This text serves as an example of that.

The captivity wasn’t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it moved them closer to God.

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus. This text serves as an example of that.

The captivity wasn’t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power.

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus. This text serves as an example of that.

The captivity wasn’t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power. Shall we rise through the great POWER OF GOD?

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to

the image of Jesus. This text serves as an example of that.

The captivity wasn’t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power. Shall we rise through the great POWER OF GOD?

Shall we trust the POWER OF GOD to providentially mold us into Jesus’ image?

The Patience of God

vv 30-31

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shallrenew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (vv 30-31, ESV).

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord.

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that

God will act on his schedule.

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that

God will act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the

house of Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV).

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that

God will act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the

house of Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV). “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and

heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2, ESV).

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that

God will act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the

house of Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV). “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and

heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2, ESV).

The point is that God doesn’t always use our timeline to do what he thinks is best.

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that

God will act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the

house of Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV). “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and

heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2, ESV).

The point is that God doesn’t always use our timeline to do what he thinks is best.

Shall we rise through the PATIENCE OF GOD?