Isaiah 40:27-31, I Corinthians 1-3. Don't worry, I'll give some explanation as well. Having just started a series through I Corinthians, I have been impressed by the need to glory in the Lord (ch.1), Paul's example of how he did that in Corinth (ch.2), and the reasons why glorying in man is foolish (ch.3). In between the first two chapters, we interrupted with a message from the personal growth series - growth in dependence from Isaiah 40. Together, they have continued to impress me with our need for God on the one side, and the utter foolishness of trusting our own strength on the other (or the wisdom / strength of any man).
My problem is that I have always tended toward an independent spirit. I don't like to ask for help. I have been working on being a gracious recipient over the past few years with mixed results at times. Yet my need is constant, and no amount of pushing, or driving on my part will meet that need. Maybe my slowness to write a blog entry on this topic has had to do with my slowness in growing in this area. What I do know, and have seen to be true, is that we are to glory in God. When we look to him for strength, he provides it. When we work for his glory, he is glorified. Step by step, and day by day, the challenge for God's Word for us is to keep looking up.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper:
the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out
and thy coming in from this time forth,
and even for evermore.
- Psalm 121
