Isaiah 40:28-31
Thoughts from Meghan Fravel
Dive Deeper
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 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.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
Behind the Scenes
I don’t know about you, but over the past couple of years I’ve had times that I have felt like I could not do any more. Not only was I physically exhausted, but worse yet I was emotionally and spiritually fatigued. I was so fed up with all the division and hatred I was seeing. I mean I’ve had it with the mask/no mask, vaccine/no vaccine, racist/nonracist, democrat/republican, Dunkin Donuts/Krispy Crème (come on Dunkin donuts is the clear winner here) debates, and it never seems to end. Like I really just sometimes want to bury my head in the sand and ignore what’s going on in the world. I just want to stay in my nice little sandbox and forget about the hate and division.
But that’s not what God calls us to do. We are to be in the world shining His light and His glory. If we are in Jesus, we’re supposed to look different and be different. So, what do we do when we feel like we just can’t go on? That’s where today’s verse comes in, “…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.” We are called to HOPE IN THE LORD.
See, so many times we put our hope in things of the world that have very little basis – masks will/won’t keep us safe; vaccines will/won’t stop the virus; the republicans/democrats will set us free; Dunkin Donuts will cure all ills (okay, this one might be true). We rest in things that don’t have eternal consequences.
Our real hope comes from the LORD. It comes from knowing that He has already won the war, and the battles will make us stronger. It comes from knowing where our eternal home is for those who are in Jesus. It comes from knowing that He will renew our strength. We have the power of the God who spoke worlds into existence living inside of us – what more could we possibly need? What more could we possibly hope for? We will someday be united with Him in heaven and look on His glory, but in the meantime, He has given us everything we need to fight those battles.
Make it Real
I get it, waiting is hard. Waiting for our eternal home where there are no more tears, no more hurt, no more disease, is really hard. Sometimes those who have already accepted Jesus pray and hope for His return to end all the ugliness, but we have to remember that His timing is perfect. Just as we studied last week, He is patient, wanting all to come to repentance- to come to Him.
On a more personal level, you might be in a season where you feel like you are just in survival mode. That each day you are just barely hanging on. If that’s you, I’m so sorry, but you need to know that you can call on the strength of God almighty through His loving Son. If you have accepted Him as your savior, you have that very power living IN you. His power is made perfect in weakness – yours, mine, the world’s. Tap into that strength. Pray for the power and energy to run the race well and to continue walking in His ways.
If you haven’t yet opened your heart to Jesus, to His saving grace and perfect power, maybe now is the time. If you are feeling so weary that you can’t go on, there is One who is waiting to lift you on eagles’ wings and give you the strength to continue. He is calling you. He loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. Will you answer His call?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Colleen McGeorge
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father God give us strength. Help us to continue this race well and to shine Your light in a darkened world. Renew our strength and help us soar as on eagles’ wings. For those feeling hopeless Lord, show them the hope in You. For those feeling weary Lord, show them their power in You. Lord, we love You and thank You for all that You are. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus! Amen.