Tag Archives: strength in God

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“Be Strong, Together!”

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Isaiah 40:21-31 (40:20) – February 4, 2024

            When I was young, I would often take walks near my parents’ house, on the northwest side of Chicago. Lots of opportunities for me to walk outside. In the mid- and late-summer, I vividly remember seeing grasshoppers by the side of the paths through the grassy sections of the Forest Preserves, and certainly hopping around in the vacant lots near my house!

            As I read the first two verses of our Scripture lesson this past week, I couldn’t help but think about the prophet’s juxtaposition in verse 22: “God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” The heavens are so massive, so colossal and huge, and yet we humans are tiny grasshoppers, far, far beneath.

            The vast heavens? They stretch out majestic, and go on forever. But, grasshoppers? Tiny insects, hopping about, not very imposing or powerful creatures at all. Somewhat demeaning description, in fact. However, if we think hard about these two images, that is our starting point. Sooner or later, we all feel like grasshoppers, especially if we compare ourselves to the mighty and powerful Lord who stretched out the heavens! [1]  

            Just consider: we puny, grasshopper-like people seem pretty small and unimportant, next to a mighty and powerful God. Running to and fro, hurrying and scurrying through life, our limited human lives can be a challenge. With stresses and tumult in our personal lives as well as the lives in our communities, so many of us are seeking some hope, some peace, even some strength that comes from outside of our selves. For many, they do not know where to seek. [2]

            Comparing us limited humans to the God who stretched out the heavens is a tall order. How does that work, anyhow? I know that I have been fascinated for years by the detailed and intricate photographs taken by the Hubble space telescope. This incredibly high-powered telescope has been orbiting the earth since 1990, and takes incredible photos. It captures extremely high-resolution images without the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere, allowing for a deep, detailed view into space. [3]  If you have never examined Hubble’s marvelous photos of distant space, I strongly encourage you to view some online!   

            Looking at these photos makes me wonder and marvel even more at how the Lord has spread out the vast, starry expanse of the heavens. Today, we have a much more detailed knowledge of astronomy than the people of 2500 years ago, at the time the book of Isaiah was written. We continue to marvel at the Lord’s mighty, powerful handiwork – and, bow in awe and worship at the words found here in chapter 40, comparing humans to grasshoppers.

            However, instead of being diminished as tiny insects in the eyes of the Almighty God, humans are lifted up. In this same passage, the prophet tells us that             “God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Yes, the very same God who created the heavens and the earth, the very same God who stretched out the heavens like a canopy, is the same God who gives each of us strength. What a comforting and reassuring message!

            I know about weakness, first hand. Last winter, a close family member of mine had major surgery. Thank God, everything went well, but there were weeks and weeks of recovery. Gathering strength, going to rehab, and many, many hours of recuperation and recovery in the gym and outside, going on long walks and riding a bicycle. And thankfully, my family member now reports in good shape today. Getting continuing strength from our God, too.

            I know other folks have relatives – perhaps even themselves – who have weakness, sickness, or are in similar distressing circumstances. Perhaps your distress is not physical, but mental or emotional. Perhaps our strength – our human capability – is depleted. The unpredictable nature of human life can wear any of us down!

Sure, many people go to the gym and work out, or go to the pool and swim laps, taking our fitness seriously, and that is all to the good! “Those activities can provide us a level of fitness that enable our bodies to function physically, yet we also need additional inner strength to be able to function well. Since our mind, body and spirit are interconnected, how we feel spiritually or emotionally can affect our physical energy level. That’s where God can help.” [4]

Even young people can grow tired and weary, as difficult as it may be for them to believe sometimes. We all can grow weary and stumble, and we all get stressed, and even depressed sometimes. The prophet understood, and that is why we receive this message today from verse 31: “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.”

We can have strength in the Lord! And, that is not all. When we are open to a meaningful and personal relationship with God, we open ourselves to inner energy and strength that can restore and sustain us. In the next weeks, I will offer some spiritual exercises that will assist in strengthening us. Some are familiar, some less so, but all of these exercises or spiritual practices can allow God to come alongside of each of us. [5] These help us to tap into special, heavenly power and strength that only our powerful, mighty God can provide.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Our mighty God is able. We can, indeed renew our strength Just like eagles. Amen, alleluia.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://cepreaching.org/commentary/2018-01-29/isaiah-4021-31-2/

[2] https://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/weekly-health-scripture-isaiah-4029-god-gives-strength/

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Space_Telescope

[4] https://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/weekly-health-scripture-isaiah-4029-god-gives-strength/

[5] Ibid.

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Jonathan Encourages David

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“Jonathan Encourages David”

be not afraid, words

1 Samuel 23:14-18 (23:17) – July 1, 2018 – from Dave Ivaska’s book Be Not Afraid

Running for your life. Always in hiding, always on the look-out. It’s what psychological specialists in trauma and similar mental challenges call hyper-vigilance. I suspect, if we think about it, we can come up with a situation where either a person we know or people who are familiar to us have been worried, afraid, looking over their shoulders, if not on the run.

This is similar to the situation David was in, for many months, on the run in the wilderness of Judah.

But, let’s back up a bit. The strong, young David—charismatic leader of men—was the hero of Israel. Young, good-looking, he had walked onto the field of battle and won in single-handed combat with the mighty warrior Goliath the Philistine champion. Everyone in Israel praised David, up-and-coming rising star in the court of Israel. Men looked up to him, women adored him. (Apparently, he was really attractive.) His name was on everyone’s lips. What was not to like about David?

We must not forget about the other important part of David’s story. He been anointed while still a teenager to become king by the aging prophet Samuel. That means, David would take the place of King Saul. Except, King Saul was still king. Awkward!  

At first, King Saul thought David was a good guy to have around the palace. Plus, David had some skill with the harp, so he could soothe the king when the king was depressed and out of sorts. Then, to add to all of this, David and Jonathan, King Saul’s oldest son and heir, became close friends.

Imagine your best friend. I mean, your best-best friend, closer to you than even the closest members of your own family. That was David and Jonathan. Best friends forever.

King Saul probably had some uncertainty and insecurity in his life, even though he was the king of Israel. We can read about the several times that the king displayed his irritation and even outright hatred for David. Eventually, middle-aged King Saul’s anger and jealousy at the younger, good-looking, charismatic David boiled over. He sent his loyal soldiers after David. Yes, to kill him.

So, the powerful king of your country is seriously jealous, and hopping mad at you. What do you do? Run, of course. Make yourself scarce.

We see several reasons for people to be on the run from powerful leaders. Yes, politics may play a part in this. War and conflict might also figure in. Power and control are also important possibilities in any severe disagreement. And with Saul, his violent anger against David was definitely more personal.

For several chapters in 1 Samuel, we can read about the adventures of David. Life-and-death adventures, too. If Saul’s soldiers had ever caught up to David, the situation would mean death for David.

Sure, David had been playing cat-and-mouse with the king’s soldiers for months.           As commentator Bob Deffinbaugh said, “David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. …The full weight of Saul’s pursuit and its implications seems to bear down on him. Perhaps weary in both body and spirit, David is greatly distressed to hear that, once again, King Saul is nearby, fully intent on killing him. There is ample evidence to show that if given the chance, Saul will do so.” [1]

We see that King Saul decided to go out into the wilderness and eradicate David once and for all. We also know that David and Saul’s son Jonathan are best friend, even though it had been many months since they had seen each other. What a wonderful friend to have, even taking his life in his hands. That’s what it meant for Jonathan to risk visiting David, in the wilderness.

What kind of stress and trauma must David have been going through? Let’s read from 1 Samuel again: “While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that[a] Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.”

This is one reason why it’s so important for us to see how Jonathan encouraged David, even though both friends must have felt extremely pressured. David had been on the run for many months, and his psychological state could only have been one of extreme trauma!

When these two dear friends finally meet, what the first things Jonathan does? Helps his dear friend to find strength in God.  If you are alone and struggling to keep your head above water, no matter what challenges or difficulties are coming your way, having a dear friend come alongside of you to encourage you can make all the difference.

Of course, David was in extreme difficulty. Running for your life from the king’s best crack troops must have been both mentally and physically exhausting. Having the king’s oldest son and heir as your best friend must have added a layer of challenge to the whole mess.

What does Jonathan lead off with? “Be not afraid!” He reminds David that all Israel knows that the prophet Samuel has anointed him to be king after Saul, and says that he—Jonathan—will be his right-hand man. All of which must have been a great comfort and encouragement to David. They two dear friends renew their covenant, and then Jonathan has to leave. I suspect David has to continue to elude the king’s troops, too.

Our situations and challenges today are not as dire as David’s horrible predicament. However, God continues to speak. God continues to encourage and lift up hearts, even through great trials and tribulations. Are you having troubles and difficulties in your life today? God is there, and ever present help in times of trouble and need.

Just as David’s best friend Jonathan was there to encourage him through the deep dark times, God can bring friends alongside of us, too. Friends can speak words of encouragement and trust to us, like “Be not afraid!”

Are you someone’s best friend? Is your best friend going through difficulties, pain, even trauma right now? Can you come alongside of your friend and encourage their hearts today? Consider your part. The Lord might be calling you to be that friend, today, or tomorrow.

What a ministry, that of being an encourager. What a kindness, and what a service to others. Whether you are the one who could use a friend, or whether you are the one called to be such a friend, remember David and Jonathan. Best friends forever. An encouragement, finding mutual strength in God.

Alleluia, amen.

[1] https://bible.org/seriespage/20-friend-indeed-1-samuel-2315-29 Bob Deffinbaugh 

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my regular blog for 2018: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and my other blog,  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!)