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”?
have you not known? have you not heard?
the Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
he does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
he gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
[isaiah 40:27-31]
to whom can we compare the most high God? raging oceans, thundering hurricanes, and roaring lions have a shadow of the might of the Lord; mountains that extend far into the sky, chasms that go below the reach of vision, and oceans with terrifying breadth are nothing compared to his heights, depths, and breadths of our Lord.
how can we consider enemies in this life worth a grain’s worth of fear? Lord, help us to see your incredible might, your boundless power, your steadfast love which pours out forever—may we fear nothing in view of your presence before us and beside us. when we are weak you are strong; when our love runs out yours abounds; when we are lost for understanding you see and know all things. Lord, humble us in your presence, and embolden us in your commission! I repent for how quickly i forget your covenant love and your ability to see through every one of your plans to the uttermost!
Lord, decrease my taste for the things of this world, that I may find my only satisfaction and comfort in you! you are worthy of far more than i can ever give; thank you for humbling yourself to be with me; may all that I do point to you and your glory.
~ stephen hall