A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Wednesday,
December 12, 2018
We passed this Christmas display in rural Lebanon County yesterday which appears to be rough hewn logs on sleighs!
"The
Sustaining
Word"
Message
summary: "The
word that sustains the
weary" is one of the
most blessed words we
can receive and share
with others.
"The
Sovereign LORD has
given me an instructed
tongue, to know the
word that sustains the
weary" (Isaiah 50:4).
Pastor
John is a good friend of
ours whose twin brother
Rahn went to be with the
Lord last Sunday morning.
Rahn had suffered from
cancer for quite some time
and, though there was some
improvement at various
stages along the way, more
recently his health
declined severely and we
knew his departure was
near.
On
Sunday afternoon Brooksyne
was impressed of the Lord
to pray for some friends
experiencing critical
health problems and was
then prompted to make some
calls. She called Pastor
John for an update only to
receive the news that Rahn
had died that morning,
about four hours before
she placed the call. They
conversed for a few
minutes as John shared
that the family was
gathered around Rahn
singing hymns when
suddenly, Rahn, who had
been somewhat unresponsive
during this time, suddenly
rallied and his face broke
into an unmistakable
expression that he was
viewing an angelic
presence. It was in that
glorious moment that he
breathed his last on this
side.
Later
that evening John wrote a
brief note expressing that
he and his family were
grateful for Brooksyne's
call. Based on today's
verse it was her intent to
give a "word that
sustains the weary".
"The word
that sustains the
weary" is
one of the most blessed
words we can receive and
share with others.
The dictionary
definition of "sustain"
is to "strengthen or
support physically or
mentally". We would add
to that definition
"spiritually" and that's
primarily the type of
sustaining we are
referring to in this
message.
Today's
passage was written by
Isaiah. It begins, "The
Sovereign LORD has
given me an
instructed tongue".
"The
Sovereign LORD" is the source
of the sustaining word
and "an
instructed tongue"
is His gift. For
believers who minister
to those who are
downtrodden and weary
this is a vital
necessity.
"To know the word that sustains the weary". That word will vary depending on the need. Effective ministry is not using a flip chart of pat answers but rather a Spirit-given word in response to a specific need. Most of the time a word like this will come from a one on one personal interaction, although it might also be heard in a sermon or even through a message like a Daily Encouragement. This
sustaining "word" may in
part be our knowledge of
the Bible where we can
direct others to a Bible
verse to draw strength.
The purest form of
ministry in our view is
the Bible along with
solid exposition.
So let us
thank God when we
receive "the
word that sustains the
weary" and seek to
be His instrument
dispensing "the word
that sustains the
weary".
What troubles
you today? What problem
are you dealing with
that seems
insurmountable? God is a
lot bigger than any
problem. Remember to
give Your problems to
Him as He sustains you
day
by day,
moment by moment. Don't
get ahead of Him or that
will lead to worry and
anxiety. He reveals His
grace as the problems
unfold but doesn't
reveal how His grace
will work out for the
"What if's". Let us be
careful not to rob
ourselves of the peace
He grants to us today.
God will not fail us. We can stand on His promises, for it is based on His inerrant, enduring Word of truth! Today, receive "the word that sustains the weary"! There is no
problem so big, God
cannot solve it.
There is no mountain so tall, He cannot move it. There is no storm so dark, God cannot calm it. There is no sorrow so deep, God cannot soothe it. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber *
Deuteronomy 31:8
Further
study on sustain:
Let
us consider several
verses regarding God's
sustaining power
beginning with the
simple promise, "Surely
God is my help; the
Lord is the One who
sustains me"
(Psalm 54:4). He may
give us a sustaining
word through another
believer but ultimately
the Lord is the One who
sustains.
"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). Our role is the casting of our burdens upon the Lord; His role is to sustain us! "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you" (Isaiah 46:4). What a wonderful assurance this statement brings to the believer, especially as we grow older. How powerful to read a proclamation by God made over 2,700 years ago that remains just as true and effective today! It looks back to the self-revealing One that Moses encountered at the burning bush some 700 years earlier who said, "I AM THAT I AM." It looks ahead to the One who spoke the words again some 700 years later stating, "I AM." And today He still declares, "I am He." I want to encourage each reader to draw strength from God's promises in this verse: I am He who will sustain you. I have made you. I will carry you. I will sustain you. I will rescue you. Notice the promise that God will sustain is repeated twice in this text as to give us double the assurance. Sustain is also translated "I will bear you" (NASV) and "I will take care of you" (New Century Version). A note from the "Full Life Study Bible" summarizes this: "He has cared for us from the beginning of our lives, continues to act on our behalf, and will sustain us even to the end." Special
Year-end
Financial Appeal
We want to thank all who
have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for
many years!). We realize there are many
fine ministries and causes requesting
support at this time but if the Lord
would lead you we surely need and
appreciate the financial support from
our readers and listeners. Like
many ministries, we typically see a
spike in giving at the end of the year
for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information. To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376 Please Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber" Thank you Stephen
& Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
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