I use it virtually every Sunday and Wednesday, week in and week out. It has never failed me yet. But that does not mean I do not fret and worry about the fact that one day it will. I am referring, of course, to my microphone. I obsess over it not letting me down.
Why? Because I have seen this very thing happen to other preachers and public speakers; and I know how frustrating it can be whenever the battery gives out and a speaker suddenly cannot be heard. Often, the whole flow of the message is interrupted; and it can be very hard to recapture the moment once it has been lost.
Recently, after taking note of the fact that the sound engineers at our church change my microphone battery out before some messages, but not before others, I inquired as to why this was. Thereupon, our Worship Pastor took my microphone, turned it over, and showed me an obscure little battery meter on the bottom. It read three quarters full of power; and I was greatly reassured before heading off to the pulpit.
And yet, the question remained. I did not recall him ever checking it before our conversation. How did he know the status of my battery charge? His response caught me by surprise: “Oh, that’s easy. We have a parallel display upstairs in the sound booth that allows us to monitor exactly how much battery power you have left. We know well in advance whenever you are going to need more juice!”
At the moment, all I could think to say was, “Thank goodness! I am greatly relieved to know that. Now, I will no longer be worried about my power running low.” But upon further reflection, I must admit that I did feel a little foolish. Here I had spent all of that time fretting over something that, in truth, was never really in danger of happening. That was because, all along, the powers that be had been watching over me and my needs from up above.
And then it hit me: this is a pretty good picture of how things so often go with regard to the Lord and me. For my part, I spend an awful lot of time fretting and worrying about whether or not I will have what all I need to get by each day of my life. And all the while, up there in Heaven, God is closely monitoring my level of resources.
He knows full well just how much spiritual energy I am expending at all times. He also knows just how much more I will need in any situation. Because of this, He will never put more of a load on me than I can handle. And He will always replenish my strength just when I need it the most.
There are a great many Bible verses which show us this truth. Joshua, David, Peter, Paul, and many other Biblical characters give abundant testimony to God’s power. And yet, one Biblical writer who felt led of God to stress this more than most others was the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 40 (verses 28-31), he states:
“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 underscores this message once again in the following chapter (41:10) when he conveys this message to us from God: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Translation: Take heart. God is watching your power meter right now. He knows just how strong you are. He also knows whenever you are running a little low on spiritual strength. And He comes at just the right time to boost your supply with power from on high! Because of this, you do not ever have to fret or worry - not in the least bit. For you see, my friend, He’s got you covered! And you will never want for strength!
NOTE: Encouraging scriptures relating to God’s power can be found at: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-strength-25-encouraging-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2iJBEJvCs.
Why? Because I have seen this very thing happen to other preachers and public speakers; and I know how frustrating it can be whenever the battery gives out and a speaker suddenly cannot be heard. Often, the whole flow of the message is interrupted; and it can be very hard to recapture the moment once it has been lost.
Recently, after taking note of the fact that the sound engineers at our church change my microphone battery out before some messages, but not before others, I inquired as to why this was. Thereupon, our Worship Pastor took my microphone, turned it over, and showed me an obscure little battery meter on the bottom. It read three quarters full of power; and I was greatly reassured before heading off to the pulpit.
And yet, the question remained. I did not recall him ever checking it before our conversation. How did he know the status of my battery charge? His response caught me by surprise: “Oh, that’s easy. We have a parallel display upstairs in the sound booth that allows us to monitor exactly how much battery power you have left. We know well in advance whenever you are going to need more juice!”
At the moment, all I could think to say was, “Thank goodness! I am greatly relieved to know that. Now, I will no longer be worried about my power running low.” But upon further reflection, I must admit that I did feel a little foolish. Here I had spent all of that time fretting over something that, in truth, was never really in danger of happening. That was because, all along, the powers that be had been watching over me and my needs from up above.
And then it hit me: this is a pretty good picture of how things so often go with regard to the Lord and me. For my part, I spend an awful lot of time fretting and worrying about whether or not I will have what all I need to get by each day of my life. And all the while, up there in Heaven, God is closely monitoring my level of resources.
He knows full well just how much spiritual energy I am expending at all times. He also knows just how much more I will need in any situation. Because of this, He will never put more of a load on me than I can handle. And He will always replenish my strength just when I need it the most.
There are a great many Bible verses which show us this truth. Joshua, David, Peter, Paul, and many other Biblical characters give abundant testimony to God’s power. And yet, one Biblical writer who felt led of God to stress this more than most others was the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 40 (verses 28-31), he states:
“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 underscores this message once again in the following chapter (41:10) when he conveys this message to us from God: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Translation: Take heart. God is watching your power meter right now. He knows just how strong you are. He also knows whenever you are running a little low on spiritual strength. And He comes at just the right time to boost your supply with power from on high! Because of this, you do not ever have to fret or worry - not in the least bit. For you see, my friend, He’s got you covered! And you will never want for strength!
NOTE: Encouraging scriptures relating to God’s power can be found at: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-strength-25-encouraging-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2iJBEJvCs.