“Let the people renew their strength.” Isaiah 41:1 (KJV)
All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing sustains itself. “Thou renewest the face of the earth,” was the Psalmist’s cry. (Psalm 104:30) Even the trees, which do not themselves clamor for care, and do not shorten their lives with labor, must drink of the rain of heaven and absorb the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon which God has planted only live because day by day they are filled with sap freshly drawn from the earth. (Isaiah 14:8)
In the same way, a man’s life cannot be sustained without constant renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by frequent meals, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding on the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-quenching table of communion.
How depressed will our souls become when God’s provisions are neglected! What unfortunate Christians are those who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God, then it is not of divine origin. It is only a dream. If God had begotten it, it would wait on Him as the flowers wait on the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within.
When the whirlwind is loosed, woe to the tree that has not absorbed the fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots.
When fearsome storms arise, woe to the mariners who have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought refuge. If we despise what is good and grow weaker, the evil will gather strength, and struggle desperately for the mastery over us. And so a painful desolation and a lamentable disgrace will follow.
Let us draw near to the feet of divine mercy in humble supplication, and we will realize the fulfillment of the promise: “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)
Question: Where do you draw renewal from God? Are there additional resources that God has provided but you currently are not using?
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2010.
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