On a Wing and a Prayer

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: On a Wing and a Prayer
Keywords: “wait”
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Passage: Isaiah 40:31*

Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Questions

1. What does the prophet Isaiah tell his readers to DO in the verse above?

 

2. According to the verse, what will happen when you or I obey that instruction?

 

Practical help

A word of personal testimony might be the best way to illustrate the help that this verse can give.

About three weeks ago, I was checking e-mail at home when I received an unsolicited invitation to look at porn, with a quick-loading graphic. I quickly deleted it, but did not delete it from the "Deleted Items" tray. Later that day, I found myself "home alone," and faced some of the most serious temptation I can remember.

Knowing that the pictures were waiting for me, not yet deleted from my computer, attracted me like a magnet. I decided to wait. I was not able, at the time of the temptation to say, "No," but I was able to say, "Not now." I went outside, watered a plant or two, reminded myself of truth from the Bible — and then walked inside and deleted the e-mail.

I don’t relate my experience to garner respect, but to point to the truth of Isaiah 40:31. I did nothing more than wait on the Lord. I was relatively inactive while I was waiting. But, in doing little more than putting off lustfully looking at porn, God used the waiting moments to strengthen me.

Tempted? Put Isaiah’s words to the test. Tell the temptation, "Not now." Remind yourself of God’s truth in the interim, and watch as the Lord strengthens you as you wait.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."