S) "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."
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NASB)
O) This is the closing passage from the chapter. The whole passage encourages God's people. In fact, the first verse opens "Comfort, comfort my people," and there are some very familiar, oft-quoted verses throughout the chapter (including v.31). At this point through Isaiah, Israel has been conquered and led into exile, and Judah has impending doom. This chapter is a reminder that there is an end, though. These three final verses sum up the entire chapter. God continually tells His people that the way is difficult, but that He is sufficient. This passage is very physical in its description, but it is also spiritual in its truth.
A) Full disclosure: this verse may have jumped out at me, because I have recently had to concede that my body (and this is even hard for me to type)... just... I don't want to say I'm getting old (I'm not old!), but my body is showing signs that it simply cannot do what I used to make it do. Through sheer force of will, I used to be able to force my body to do all sorts of things. It was only a matter of determination and practice. This is no longer the case. There, I said it. So, when I read this verse, my heart skipped a beat! I was reminded that, in a literal way, God can give me strength and increase my power! I can run and not grow weary, and walk and not be faint! But, after the silly excitement ebbed (and please note, I describe it as silly, because it's not like I'm some athlete who needs to be able to run and jump and perform physically. What difference does it make if my knees don't let me jump off a roof anymore?), after I came down from that bit of fantasy, I started thinking of this verse in spiritual context. There are many, many references in the Bible to walking with God, and many in the New Testament about running a race. These types of metaphors are reminders that there is a specific path we are to follow as we are faithful to the LORD, and the way is long and difficult. There certainly will be (have been) times along the way that are exhausting. If I am trying to sustain myself by sheer force of will, just determination and practice, then I am doomed to break down and fail. The biggest key to this entire chapter, and certainly in this excerpt, is tied to a single word: hope. But, hope is only as good as the promise, and promise is only as good as the guarantor. And, so what does this passage really say? Hope in the LORD, because He is faithful to do just what He says. He strengthens the weary, and increases the power of the weak. The physical promise has fun implications, but the spiritual promise is vital.
P) Father, You are powerful, wise, compassionate, and holy. I am limited. There is no comparing to Your greatness, but even compared to other men, I fall short of power, or wisdom, or compassion, or holiness. But, I thank You that I am not relying on myself. If I had only my will power, and determination, and grit, and just trying harder, I would still fall short. I am limited, and You designed me to be that way. Thank You, Father, for making me rely on You. If not for the humbling weaknesses I have, the bitter tears of my own failures, then I might never have come to accept Your mercy and grace and provision and love. Let me embrace my weakness, and my weariness, as it allows for Your glory to shine. May I never be lifted up, unless You are praised by it. May I never run unless You are glorified. May I never walk unless You are worshiped. In anything You call me to do, Lord, let me trust fully that You will enable me to do it. I put my hope in You alone, and trust in Your faithfulness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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