Renewing Our Strength

Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)

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.


Explanation:

The popularity of endurance sports has grown immensely over the past several decades. Individuals are constantly testing their physical and mental limits, striving to push themselves longer, farther, and harder than ever before. One of the more popular events that you may be familiar with is the ironman triathlon race, which consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. It is an unbelievable challenge, one that requires the ability to overcome weariness. The individual who can push through the weariness will find themselves crossing the finish line with the title of ironman. I guarantee that every athlete who competes in an ironman race experiences some level of weariness.

You may look at an individual who willingly puts themselves through that type of experience as crazy. In all honesty, one must be a little cuckoo to even attempt endurance sports. However, weariness is not something only endurance athletes face. Weariness comes in all shapes and sizes, not just physical. At the time when Isaiah spoke these words we read today, God’s people, the Israelites, were strangers in a foreign land. They had been exiled to Babylon, and God spoke this promise over them through the prophet Isaiah. Their situation was anything but ideal, and they were unfortunately enduring the consequences of their choice not to follow God.

From what we can see in the context, many had grown excessively weary of the condition they found themselves in. Even the youth, who are known for being full of energy, had reached a place of exhaustion. In your human experience, you too have probably experienced some level of weariness. Maybe you are even in that season now. It may not be to the extent we read about in Isaiah, but that does not minimize how difficult those seasons can be. Friends, these are not seasons to try and muster up more of our own strength. It is time for the One who does not grow weary. We need supernatural spiritual intervention. Weariness can only be endured when we have the power and promises of God in our lives. The Israelites needed to be reminded of it then, and we need reminded of it today. Depend on God for your strength always. His strength is best demonstrated in and through our weaknesses.


Application:

1. How have you seen weariness in your life?

2. What are indicators for you that you are in the midst of a weary season?

3. How do you typically handle your weariness?

4. What can you take away from today’s reading that could help you in seasons of weariness?


Prayer:

Lord, I grow weary. My human strength can only go so far. On my own power, I struggle to endure at times. Thank You for making Your strength available to be. I could not do life without it. Nor do I want to. Help me in my weariness.