Renew
Do you consider yourself to be patient or impatient? What kind of situations have you encountered that have required patience and waiting on your part? Are you currently in one of those situations?
In the Bible book of Isaiah, we are told that God “gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those 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 (Isaiah 40:29-31).”
These are great words of hope and encouragement, reminding us of God’s promise to be present in our daily lives. He encourages us to “wait for the Lord.” And in that waiting we can find renewal, strength, and stamina.
We can trust those words, but it is often difficult to apply. When you are feeling exhausted, what do you rely on for rejuvenation or energy: caffeine, sleep, “comfort food,” brisk walk, cold shower, jumping jacks, something else? God has blessed us with many gifts that we get to enjoy every day. Of those, three come to mind:
The first gift God has given is people. God has blessed us with people in our lives. We interact with others in a variety of ways, which is also a blessing. Some relationships are casual and only lightly connected. Others are much deeper when they involve family, longtime friends, or those in your faith community. How might these relationships strengthen us, and encourage our patience?
These are great words of hope and encouragement, reminding us of God’s promise to be present in our daily lives. He encourages us to “wait for the Lord.” And in that waiting we can find renewal, strength, and stamina.
We can trust those words, but it is often difficult to apply. When you are feeling exhausted, what do you rely on for rejuvenation or energy: caffeine, sleep, “comfort food,” brisk walk, cold shower, jumping jacks, something else? God has blessed us with many gifts that we get to enjoy every day. Of those, three come to mind:
The first gift God has given is people. God has blessed us with people in our lives. We interact with others in a variety of ways, which is also a blessing. Some relationships are casual and only lightly connected. Others are much deeper when they involve family, longtime friends, or those in your faith community. How might these relationships strengthen us, and encourage our patience?
The second gift from God is the majesty, beauty, and wonders of the world He created. Sometimes we need a break from our set routine. It may be short like a brisk walk around the block, or it may be longer by taking a vacation or trip. As we are exposed to the beauty of His creation, we are renewed and focused on God’s mighty power!
The third and best gift from God is the restored relationship we have with Him through the life, death, resurrection, and victory over sin that we needed and were given by Jesus.
It is not unusual to sometimes feel exhausted, overloaded, or impatient. Those are feelings we need to take seriously. As we acknowledge and respond to those feelings, we have this truth to cling to:
“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 (Isaiah 40:28).”
It is not unusual to sometimes feel exhausted, overloaded, or impatient. Those are feelings we need to take seriously. As we acknowledge and respond to those feelings, we have this truth to cling to:
“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 (Isaiah 40:28).”
4832 Ponderings:
Closing Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we could never exhaust the endless list of Your gifts and the ways You care for us! Thank you! Dear Jesus, how you long to gather together we, Your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings for protection. Thank you! You give power to the faint, strength to the powerless. When we are faint, weary and exhausted, through the power of You Holy Spirit, we pray that we will wait and rely on You to renew our strength, as we run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Thank you! Amen.
- Why is hope so difficult? What can we base our hope on?
- How might God use the people in your life to accomplish rejuvenation for you? How might you do the same for others?
- How can you enjoy the world around you that God has provided?
Closing Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we could never exhaust the endless list of Your gifts and the ways You care for us! Thank you! Dear Jesus, how you long to gather together we, Your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings for protection. Thank you! You give power to the faint, strength to the powerless. When we are faint, weary and exhausted, through the power of You Holy Spirit, we pray that we will wait and rely on You to renew our strength, as we run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Thank you! Amen.
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