DON'T GROW WEARY, KEEP CALLING ON GOD!
TEXT:
"This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel." (Isaiah 43 verses 21 to 22, King James Version).
Do you know that you were created by God for Himself; and to show forth His praise and glory? This is what our Scripture reading for today says (see also Isaiah 43 verse 21).
To show forth God's praise and glory is to openly live, speak and act in ways that honor Him. It extends also to making His greatness known to others. In other words, by the totality of your life, others see God's goodness, greatness and splendor through you. Glory to God!
To someone reading this devotional message this morning, it may not seem so right now; but soon, if you don't give up, you'll experience it. The New Living Translation of our Scripture reading for today renders it clearer than the King James Version. It says,
“I have made Israel for myself, AND THEY WILL SOMEDAY HONOR ME BEFORE THE WHOLE WORLD"
(emphasis added).
Dear beloved, I let you know this morning that God is determined to make you the reflection of His goodness, greatness and splendor, even before others around you. But to bring this to pass, He may have to break you, remold you, sandpaper you and polish you; and oftentimes, this isn't a delightful process. A lot of times, we loathe and resist the process which, according to God's wisdom, is designed to bring us to what and where we have so dearly loved to be in life. The reason for this is that we lack understanding of God's ways which, according to the Bible, are "past finding out" (See Job 9 verse 10, Romans 11 verse 33).
Although we may not understand God's ways, He's delighted to find us trusting and submitting ourselves entirely to His will for us, knowing that He cannot mislead or deceive us because He's the Way, the Truth and Life (see John 14 verse 6).
That we do not understand God's ways and particularly that what we're experiencing is contrary to reason and expectations, is no reason for us to grow weary of God, to be offended by Him and to throw in the towel altogether! To do so is to show unbelief and faithlessness.
God's accusation against His people in the Scripture reading for today is as follows:
"But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel."
Have you reached a point in your weariness that you have decided not to call on God anymore? Like I said, to do so is unbelief! Remember that only those that believe will see God's glory (see John 11 verse 40). Learn therefore to never give in to weariness and to give up on God. Instead, keep calling on Him.
For instance, had blind Bartimaeus given up and stopped calling on Jesus, he would not have received his healing (see Mark 10 verses 46 to 52).
Blind Bartimaeus faced opposition from those around him. The Bible says in Mark 10 verse 48, "And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."
Resolve to never let anyone or anything discourage you from continuing to ask the Lord for help. Rather, be like blind Bartimaeus by crying "the more a great deal”; and I pray that you receive the grace not to stop, but to cry "the more a great deal", in Jesus name.
To whom do you turn for help, besides the Lord? The Bible says in Psalms 46 verse 1 that "God is our refuge and strength, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE." (Emphasis added)
I encourage you, dear and beloved; not to grow weary. Keep calling on the Lord for help. I can assure you that He's showing up much sooner than you think because it's your season of joy, rejoicing and celebrations, in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the grace to remain steadfast and fervent, not giving up on You, in Jesus name.