Lord, as we face times of change and adjustment, it is so good to be your child, to know that we are within the strength of your arm, that you are guiding us in how to proceed, that you are protecting us and will carry us on to whatever conclusion and outcome you desire in our lives. And, most importantly, you will provide us many opportunities along the way to give you glory, honor and praise. Doing so is fulfilling the purpose for our existence—giving you glory–so will bring joy, fulfillment, goodness and strength. Truly, the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Lord, out of your immense, eternal, never ending power, you share with us, pouring into our lives every day the grace we need to keep going. As it says in Isaiah:
Isa 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” [When we feel we can’t do any more, can’t take another step, He gives us strength to go on. “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand.” (Eph 6:13)
Having this strength depends first on God’s giving it and second on our accepting it, taking it up and using it. It has to do with obeying in faith, in thinking Truth, in praising in all, in resisting despair, self-pity and fear of man. It has to do with viewing weakness as an opportunity to see your power at work, Lord. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9a)
Being weak is uncomfortable, distressing, humiliating–and good, for it reveals to us our true state and helps us turn to true partnership with God. “I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness so that the power o Christ may rest on me.” (2 Cor 12:9b) God gives, are we accepting, embracing His strength, or do we demand to have it on our terms?
Isa 40:30 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;” [Even in the flower and power of youth, when the day of evil comes human strength isn’t enough. We need strength from another source in order to move through life with grace, goodness and greatness.]
Isa 40:31 “but” [now comes the shift of vision to the source of all] “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” [here is our part, to hope in the Lord, not in our own abilities, not in our talents, not in chance or luck, but in the Lord who created heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. We look to Him for the outcome, wholeheartedly cooperate, and He brings it to pass. In that hope He gives us renewed strength.]
“They will soar on wings like eagles” [able to rise above the events of the day, the evil of the world, the darkness of our old nature. We must stretch out our wings of hope and faith so the wind of God’s Spirit will lift us up to new heights.]
“they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [At whatever speed we move forward in God’s will, sufficient strength will be supplied, for God is faithful, His resources are endless, His grace is abundant, His heart is ever giving, His plan is relentless and will be completed. Are we willing to embrace what He sends, join Him in what He’s doing and receive the power he proffers?]
You, Lord, are the God of wisdom, of insight, of understanding. You require of us what each of us can do: have faith in you. And you give us plenty of evidence so that we can trust you, submit to you with joy, obey you with confidence. You are the great and mighty God who has never been defeated, who will never fail, whose plans will come to pass. “The plans of the Lord endure forever and the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
Praise be to you, Lord, in my life today. May I so remain in the light of this truth that I consistently live in hope, taking up your grace, running in your strength, soaring in your truth and giving glory to you. Amen.