Difficulty & Comfort/Weariness & Strength

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. - Isaiah 40:8

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- Difficulty and Comfort/Weariness and Strength

Life – we dream dreams, we make plans, we head in directions and live life. Yet, life rarely goes as planned. We click along and then all of a sudden, things change. The unexpected hits and circumstances change.

As Christians, our hearts and lives are carried along in the gracious, kind, faithful hands of God. Even then, life does not go as planned. As Christians, what is our response to the difficulties we face in life? By God’s grace He will not let us quietly continue in wrong attitudes; He addresses our hearts.

Isaiah 40:27 – 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”?

Been there? Ever thought that? God understands the fog, the confusion, the frustration; yet He does not leave us there. He sends us to each other to help each other keep our eyes on Christ.

Read Isaiah 40

Isaiah is being instructed by God to comfort His people. He is told to speak tenderly to her. God tells Isaiah exactly what to cry out to her. God says to lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, fear not. God instructs Isaiah to tell them of His greatness, His power, His rule.

As we walk through this life together, we are called to discipleship:

To Know and follow Christ and to help others do the same. This is so important because Christ is our comfort and strength.

-CONSIDER & MEDITATE- Read or sing and think about the words of this familiar hymn:  Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace

Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there Over us sin no more hath dominion For more than conquers we are

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace

His word shall not fail you, He promised Believe Him and all will be well Then go to a world that is dying His perfect salvation to tell

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace

-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING- Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling and hurting.

Ask God how He would use you to love and encourage those who are struggling and hurting.

Give thanks to the Lord that He has heard you and spoken to you.

Go do what He has told you to do. Go in the grace and mercy and strength of the Lord and love and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.