RENEW THOU SELF

Isaiah 40:31
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.

He will help those who, in humble dependence on him, help themselves. In the strength of Divine grace their souls shall ascend above the world. They shall run the way of God's commandments cheerfully. Let us watch against unbelief, pride, and self-confidence. If we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint, and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hopes in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

The Prophet Isaiah therefore shows, that God's people, who shall hope in God, will not be deficient in strength; and he confirms what he formerly said, “In rest and silence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15). We must not become agitated, or throw ourselves forward rashly, but “wait” patiently. Violent men dash themselves to pieces by their own eagerness, but the vigor of Godly men, though it has less display, and often appears to lie buried while they calmly “wait for” God’s assistance, is refreshed and renewed. But those that wait on the Lord, who make conscience of their duty to Him, and by faith rely upon Him and commit themselves to His guidance, shall find that God will not fail them.
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus.

“We are reduced,” says he, “to straits, but the Lord at length opens up for us an outlet; we are oppressed with poverty, but the Lord affords us help. Many enemies are in arms against us, but under God’s protection we are safe. though we are brought low, so that it might seem as if all were over with us, still we do not perish.”

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Godly people are not crushed - nor swallowed up in care and anxiety. Yes we get perplexed - as to what course to take, but never despairing of His power and love to carry us through.

We have every one of us an outward and an inward man, a body and a soul. If the outward man perish, there is no remedy, it must and will be so, it was made to perish. It is our happiness if the decays of the outward man do contribute to the renewing of the inward man, if afflictions outwardly are gain to us inwardly, if when the body is sick, and weak, and perishing, the soul is vigorous and prosperous. The best of men have need of further renewing of the inward man, even day by day. Where the good work is begun there is more work to be done, for carrying it forward. And as in wicked men things grow every day worse and worse, so in Godly men they grow better and better. The prospect of eternal life and happiness keeps us from fainting, and is a mighty support and comfort.


Isaiah 30:15
For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

If we are to be strengthened, it must be in quietness (sit still) and in confidence, keeping peace in our own minds, and relying upon the Promises of God.

God's Blessings to each of you,
rECj/LJG