“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 40:29-31)

Life has a way of making us weary. Going through the many challenges of life we find ourselves weakening as we struggle with them. Especially in times when we face discouragement and disappointment, we find ourselves weak and weary. In these times, where do we find what we need to carry on? We carry on only when we find hope. In Job’s dilemma, he would ask, “where then is my hope— who can see any hope for me?” (Job 17:15a) A question we may ask during our challenges of life.

In such a time, Isaiah points us to God. God is the one who can give us strength and power to face these challenges. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.“ (Isaiah 40:29) He is the one who can bring us hope. We have hope because God sent Jesus to provide us His hope through the resurrection. Paul said, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) Jesus comes to give hope and the strength we need to face our challenges. Just as Isaiah had promised.

The strength God gives to us through His hope provides that hope in all that life brings. There are the times when hope causes us to soar like an eagle. These times are when God provides for us the wonder of our hope given to us by our salvation when we realize all that He has done to bring us hope. “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5)

Strength also comes to us in time of the busy, non-stop of life itself.  He causes us to run and not grow weary as we do His good works. “A man reaps what he sows, . . . whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:7, 9-10)

We also receive His strength as we live our lives day in and day out. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

Through our relationship with Jesus Christ, we have hope. Our faith in Him brings us strength. As we walk daily with Him, His strength helps us face what is before us and His hope, which will carry us through all of life and into our eternal life with Him. He is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him forever. This is His promise, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3) Until that day, let us live in His strength with our hope secure in Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block