Waiting, Hoping… and Walking

…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31, NIV*

In one of his books, Mark Buchanan points out the progression in these verses: The eagle rides the wind currents, the runner has a limited distance expectation (even if it’s marathon length) but the walker might be expected to carry on for a long time.

He said it better than that, and it sounded more logical, but the idea is that the walking is both the least glamorous and perhaps the hardest because it’s such a long, slow slog.

I’m back in a quiet state again. It comes every so often, when I’m empty of the usual plans and enthusiasm. I used to try to psych myself back into action, but now I think it’s a necessary part of the rhythm of my life with God.

It’s not so much low energy as a holy hush. A call to wait. To hope in God.

Today I’m embracing the quiet. With my inner clamour stilled, I feel like I’m waiting… in hope… for God. There’s nothing big going on in my life right now, and I’m not expecting some great gust of Spirit wind to set me soaring, but a greater sense of His presence would definitely renew my strength for the next steps of the walk.

Maybe that’s why they call it “walking with God”?

Father God, thank You that You don’t set us on the road and leave us alone. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, with us to comfort and to guide. Thank You that anytime, anywhere, we can quiet our own spirits and rest in You. Please help us learn to do this more and more, so we can grow strong in relationship with You and follow You without growing weary or fainting.

Our song this week is “You Raise Me Up,” performed here by the group Selah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hArAHVWps70&feature=related

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

3 thoughts on “Waiting, Hoping… and Walking

  1. Belinda Burston

    I love both the devotion and this version of the beautiful song. A dear friend in England was attempting to sing this song at her 87 year old mother’s funeral on June 25th. I am still waiting to hear if she managed to make it through.

    The friend is one of the ambulance attendants that took my mum to hospital when I was there in March. We started emailing one another and bada bing-bada-boom, God blessed us with friendship.

    Reply
  2. joannamallory

    Belinda, I hope your friend was able to sing the whole song at the funeral. Such an emotional time, but it could really bless the others there.

    What a neat and unexpected friendship opportunity! God is good.

    Reply
  3. Carolyn Wilker

    Thank you for your thoughtful meditation, Joanna. I think God works in those times as much as he does when we feel we’re productive. This past week has been such a time for me too.

    The song, You Raise Me Up, gives me such a tingly feeling all over whenever I hear it. I’d never heard of Selah; the group has a unique take on the song.
    You might also listen to it sung by Peter McCutcheon and of course its initial recorder, Josh Groban.

    Reply

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