Renewing Our Strength

DUNCAN SINCLAIR

For those in need of strength there is a beautiful promise in the fortieth chapter of Isaiah. It is conveyed in these words: "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." The language is allegorical, but there should be no difficulty in apprehending its meaning: a very full measure of strength will come to those "that wait upon the Lord."

How often have the prophet's words fallen as a tender benediction on the ears of those laboring under a burden of weakness, inspring them with a great hope that deliverance was at hand!

Christian Science is telling mankind to-day that Isaiah's words are possible of fulfillment; that it is possible now through an understanding of God and His creation, man, and obedience to God's will or law, for the weak to renew their strength and for the strong to add to theirs. An understanding of God and man is, however, necessary. And what has Christian Science to teach of God and the real man? That God is infinite Spirit, and incorporeal; that man is like in nature to God, being His full reflection or manifestation. Also, that an indestructible relationship exists between God and man, and that the relationship is eternally sustained by perfect divine law.

As the truth about God, and man,—God's idea,—is understood, something very important happens: it becomes clear that much that we formerly accepted as true or real is utterly false or unreal. Thus, we see that since God is Spirit, there can be no reality in matter, and that a mortal or material sense of man is a myth. Further, we discern that since Spirit is infinite, the law of Spirit alone is real, and that what is called material law has only a supposititious existence. As these facts are understood by men, and as they comprehend that God's perfect law alone governs man, they rise above the false sense that man is under the domination of material law; and this means the gaining of freedom and strength.

The truths about God and man which Christian Science is making known to mankind are simple,—little children readily understand them,—but the demonstration of these truths necessitates constant self-immolation, constant prayer. If we would prove the supremacy of God's law over material sense, we must be obedient to God's law. This entails alertness, vigilance, a continual holding of thought to good. But what a reward follows on waiting "upon the Lord"! Better health, greater happiness, increased strength, fuller joy—all these result from an understanding of God and the real man, and obedience to God's law. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 183 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power."

Sickness and weakness are usually found together. But sickness is not to be found in God, infinite good, and therefore is unreal. It is not supported by the law of God. In Christian Science, sickness is therefore denied reality. As the sick see the unreality of all unlike God, good, they lose their fear, and find themselves being liberated from the false belief of disease; and as they lose the false sense of disease their strength proportionately increases. It will be readily conceded that when one is in possession of the knowledge of true being, one can give an unqualified denial to whatever is untrue or unreal. Hence, the sick can give an emphatic denial to that which is claiming to blind them. And so, the affirmation of the perfection of man, coupled with the denial of disease, destroys the illusion of disease.

Another very helpful truth to know is that man is ever at-one with God, is ever reflecting infinite Spirit, since he is God's idea. It follows that man reflects unlimited strength. Indeed, the real man cannot be cognizant of weakness, for no trace of weakness exists in God, man's divine Principle: man can know strength but not weakness. What a helpful thought is this for those who may be feeling jaded and tired! They can turn their thought to the great truths that Spirit is omnipotent and that man is the image of omnipotent Spirit; and as they realize the import of these truths they will find their strength renewed.

It is important that men should be well and strong, so that they may be able to perform the duties of life. And to think that through Christian Science all may claim health and strength as theirs by divine right! God does not bless any one of His children more than another: all are alike in His sight. May we therefore put our trust in the understanding of Him which Christian Science bestows, and renew our health and strength by giving our whole-hearted obedience to His law, the law of good!

DUNCAN SINCLAIR

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Admission to The Mother Church

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