I was just thinking about the scripture Isaiah 40:31. We all know it. Today I am intrigued by the phrase those who “wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” What does this waiting look like? We know that it is not a natural thing to "wait." In difficult times, when the going gets tough, we tend to either "fight" or "flee." How can we keep from doing what comes naturally? How do we live the higher law when the natural man is so apposed to it? There is only one way.
Here is what we know from Mosiah 3:17-21
17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.
18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.
What is the impulse of the “natural man?” In times of fright, worry, anxiety or stress, our natural thought is what we call “fight or flight.” Think of Peter and his denying the Christ three times (Mark 14). What about the rich young ruler (Mathew 19) who went away sorrowful because he had “great possessions.” When we are faced with trials, we can very easily give in to our “natural man” by attempting to put up a fight or by getting away.
When I am faced with a challenge, my natural man is tempted to be reactionary, accusatory, avoidant, or sometimes I simply just give up or give in. As I follow the Savior, the only one to save, I can overcome the natural man and simply “wait upon the Lord.”
May we place our trust in the Lord. That is not to say that “waiting” is a passive thing, it is not! We must be actively seeking the Lord’s guidance and strength as we wait upon him. When we are faced with a challenge, don’t fight it. Don’t flee. Drop! Drop to your knees . . and wait upon the Lord, then get up and actively wait.
Fight, Flight . . . or wait? Let us choose the 3rd option.
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