They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. – Isaiah 40:31
At some point your body needs rest. You run out of gas and feel weak. Maybe you need a quick nap or a little snack. Or perhaps something longer or larger is necessary. In certain instances, you are able to grab what you need. But what about the larger issues in life? Sickness that won’t go away, a hurting child needing more than a Band-Aid, a job that requires a lot of time and energy, or death in the family. Big issues require big solutions.
The passage in Isaiah 40 may remind you of passages in Job when God compares His knowledge with Job’s ignorance. His first question would stop you in your tracks: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place” (Job 38:4, 12)? Isaiah writes of the greatness of God as he says that He “measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span” (Isaiah 40:12).
Why would God describe Himself this way? Maybe because those in His tender care get faint and physically weary, but also face great mental and spiritual emergencies. He is here to assure you that He is the Source of power and strength you need. He is the Deliverer from worry and fretfulness, from fear and discouragement.
Walk with God. Wait for Him in confidence. Know that He is never late with His enabling power. Pray for the nation’s leaders who face struggles and conflicts that need His solutions. Then rely on the Lord to provide and sustain those who call upon Him.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 40:31
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Job 38:4-18, 42:1-2
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
1 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2 “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
