The National Prayer Breakfast

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Last week was the national prayer breakfast. I enjoyed listening to the music, hearing the scriptures read and the buzz of the crowd. Prayers were given for our nation, our leaders, our Soldiers, and for our families. We enjoyed the breakfast, and the fellowship one with another.

The speaker was the Chief of Chaplain of the Army, Chaplain (MG) Douglas Carver. He was introduced as an old Southern Baptist. The audience chuckled and we prepared to enjoy his sermon. He started with the usual greeting to Soldiers and distinguished guests. When it was over, everyone clapped and we departed with a good feeling. As I was going to my car getting ready to return to post, I asked myself, “What was the message of Chaplain Carver? What did I remember from his sermon?’.

It was that all us in our life at one time or another feel like we are in a pit. It may be the pit of depression, adversity or just feeling like life is unfair. Most of the time we quickly try to get out of the pit, but what do we learn while we are waiting in the pit?

Do we listen to the Lord and wait? Chaplain Carver pointed out that we wait to come home from war. We wait to get promoted. We wait to get married. We wait to have a baby (nine months). We wait for our tours to end. We wait for retirement. What are we learning from the Lord as we wait. We know that the Lord strengthens and blesses those who wait upon the Lord-Jonah waiting in the belly or the whale, Daniel waiting in the Den of Lions, Joshua waited in the desert with the Lord. The Children of Israel wondered and waited in the desert for forty years until they were delivered.

What do we learn from the Lord in our time of waiting? Do we learn from our experience or do we just complain? Is our wait one of futility or one of growth. The prayer breakfast ended with a good feeling. As I wait and journey through this life, it is my pray that we will be blessed by the Lord and be uplifted, and strengthened in whatever life presents to us.

Just a thought.