Times of Refreshing from the Lord

February 6, 2000

Isaiah 40:21-31, Holy Communion

Have you ever been "down"? Who hasn't? Have you ever had someone come along and give you just the lift you needed? What do you know about finding strength to go on when the going gets tough?

The simple story in today's lesson from Mark's Gospel, chapter one. Coming from the synagogue (where he spoke with authority) Jesus find's Peter's mother-in-law down in bed sick. Jesus heals her. Then the whole community heard about it. The one with authority also had power. They all had needs, so they turned up to get whatever Jesus could give.

But early in the morning Jesus disappeared. He went to find a quiet place where he could be alone with his father. Even Jesus needed renewal and refreshing. And Jesus knew where to find it.

Some thoughts that come from our lessons today:

GOD IS GREAT AND MIGHTY BEYOND ALL UNDERSTANDING

"To whom will you liken God?"

He showed us the compassion of PRESENCE!

ISAIAH GAVE US THIS WONDERFUL PROMISE OF RENEWAL: THOSE WHO 'WAIT ON THE LORD' SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH

What is 'waiting"? Time ? (no) Serving tea and biscuits to God? (No!)

It is listening! It is LOVE! It is obedience! (Even when we do not see the way . . . even when the way gets hard!)

A minister named JOHN CLAYPOOL had a child who died from leukemia. He found this very passage in Isaiah very helpful to him. In a sermon he described three situations Christ's followers live under as they seek renewal.

  1. FIRST there is a spiritual HIGH. The Lord feels very close. Things are great. We mount up to the sky. Maybe you've been there. Maybe you're there now. Maybe not.
  2. SECOND, there is the spiritual NORMAL. We're inspired to do our work and worship. We're hanging in there. This is where we most often live. Nothing TOO exciting, but God is with us. Maybe that is where you are now. Maybe not.
  3. But the THIRD state is when all we can do is drag one foot in front of the other. We feel like the end of the world. And if you are like me, you have been there. Maybe you're there right now.

    In that THIRD state we're tempted to go our own way. God has failed us– or so we think. Or we're tempted just to give up altogether. But here is where the promise is most precious of all. If we cry out to God, God hears. In the darkness we can dare to trust. And we will not faint!

THE GREATEST VICTORY WE ALL SHARE CAME FROM THE EARTH'S DARKEST MOMENT

On the cross our Lord was faithful to the will of the father He was faithful to you and me. We will live forever as we keep faith with Him.

So where does that leave us this morning? Flying high? Maybe. But usually not.

Running on "normal"? Probably– most of the time.

Under the very heaviest of loads? This will come to us all!

BUT THE PROMISE STANDS!

THEY THAT WAIT ON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH

Let me tell you about a remarkable man named Millard Porter . . . In many ways Millard Porter was pretty ordinary. You wouldn't look at him twice if you saw him in Wal-Mart. He was getting old when I first met him. I came to know and love him because he loved the Lord and he loved his little church.

Millard Porter died in an eight-bed ward in a hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He had a stroke that left him helpless. But twenty years ago this coming October when we dedicated a great new college church I was thinking of Millard Porter. In his darkest hour he said a word I never forgot. It has been a challenge to me to seek and find the renewal Isaiah is talking about in this passage (40:29-31). Do you know what the word was that Millard Porter told me? He said, "Thirty-four." I had to lean over and listen to be sure. Yes, he said it again. "Thirty-four."

Now I knew Millard Porter. He had lived for God and the church. Janitor. Usher. Counter. Taxi. Whatever. Ready. Steady. And I knew Millard Porter's favorite Bible verses– or at least some of them.

So when Millard said, "Thirty-four," I knew he was saying "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord! The righteous shall hear thereof and be glad!"

Even when a stroke had taken away his ability to speak or communicate Millard Porter was receiving strength from his God. In utter weakness this man of God spoke to a young pastor of the fact that it pays to serve Jesus. It pays to stay true. I want to have a "34" witness. I want to be like Millard Porter! I want to be like Jesus!

(Eagle's Wings 143)

Prayer - then into HOLY COMMUNION