Isaiah 40 is a great passage. In the verses we have looked at this week, we first are told that to deal with our complaints we should look at the nature of God. Then Isaiah gives us the promise that God gives strength to the weary:
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)
Did you catch who would have their strength renewed? Isaiah says, “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.“ The process is described with three verbs in this order — soar, run, walk. You might expect the reverse order order if it were our doing — walk, run, soar — increasing as our strength increases. But no, the greatest strength is when we first have a special experience with God — we soar! But just as the glory-light in Moses face faded after his encounter with God, we go to lesser stages after our encounter with God — soar, run, walk. Why? To assure us that the strength always is in the encounter with God, not because of us.
Isn’t it wonderful to have a God who can empower us with such mighty strength? When was the last time that being with HIm you discovered His strength? Let me invite you to spend time with Him today. He wants you to soar.
Filed under: Bible Study, Christian life, Discipleship, Spiritual Warfare | Tagged: Isaiah 40
The word “hope” stands out to me at the catalyst for all these things.
“Hope” came alive to me at a needed time last year. The theme of the arts conference at Willow Creek was “hope”.
I realized I had to return to a place of trust and hope in the goodness of God before my spirit could feel renewed and I could walk forward in strength again.
I thought I was still trusting God, but seeing so many good and faithful people go through so much pain, suffering after suffering, bad news, tough breaks…I needed to hear some good news.
I encourage everyone to KEEP SHARING YOUR STORIES when God moves in your life to deliver…people need it! I know I did.
I posted today on blessings through chaos, and man do I relate with this post.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Man do I cling to that promise! Again thank you for a timely post and a great reminder to my spirit. In Him I am renewed…and only in Him…not through the pleasures of the world around me, but through His grace. And man do I fall short in being where I should be, but what wonderful peace He still brings to my heart.