~ Isaiah 40:31 Points the Way for Seniors ~
Have you ever noticed that the progression of activity in Isaiah 40:31 seems to be backward?
“But those who wait on 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 40:31, emphasis added). The movement is from flying to running to walking! Normally we would think in terms of learning to walk followed by running. Flying comes later yet.
The passage can be thought of as a picture of the senior saints within the body of Christ. When they were younger they were actively “flying” on missions for their Lord. Over time their activities shifted to a run. As their bodies further wear down many are slowed to a walk—but that does not mean they are not useful. In fact much of the flying which is done in early life has little lasting value and many significant eternal accomplishments come with the wisdom of a slower pace later in life.
We often see this pattern around us. The Bible also provides examples of this progression.
Consider the life of Moses.
The Bible paints Moses in very human terms as he spends the first two-thirds of his life wrestling with his calling. Many are aware of the common summary of his life:
Moses spent his first 40 years thinking he was
somebody—while the Lord kept him safe.
The next 40 years realizing he was a
nobody—while the Lord humbled him.
Finally, he spent his last 40 years being used to benefit
everybody—as he had become obedient to the Lord.
God used Moses in his final days as he served in at least three vital roles:
He was
Commander-In-Chief of Israel’s army.
He was an
Administrator of the nation’s internal affairs.
Finally, he was a
Travel Guide as he brought the people to the plains of Moab.
Each of these roles in his later life required the wisdom that comes with experience.
Moses’ greatest accomplishments were late in life. Moses was Israel’s lawgiver. He was the first great prophet (Acts 7:37) and a type (picture) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses was Israel’s great deliverer.
Many would say that even today Moses stands out as the foremost man of the pre-Christian world. An anonymous writer put it this way, “Moses was one of the most colossal and majestic characters in the history of the world.”
There is much empirical evidence to conclude that God also considered Moses very highly. For example, consider that his life and work constitute about one-seventh of the whole Bible, or equal to about two-thirds of the New Testament.
CONTEMPLATE: God prepared Moses prior to using him. How has God prepared you? For what purpose?
