Strength to the Weary

  Strength To the Weary

 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:28-31) 

This passage from Isaiah is a favorite of mine. The thoughts that spring from it often echo within my heart bringing to me a measure of strength, courage, hope and peace when the path I must walk becomes a difficult one. Never does a day pass in which in some way or another we are reminded that life on this side of eternity is fraught with afflictions that will cause us to groan being burdened (2 Corinthians 5:2-4).

 John 14:27, Jesus says to his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."The  peace that Jesus gives is durable and lasting. It will not waver under any circumstance and will never fade with the passing of time. He who could rebuke and calm the storm tossed Sea of Galilee by simply saying, peace be still, can surely protect and grant to us the strength to not grow weary and tired to the point we stumble badly when the way becomes difficult (Mark 4:35-31)

 How powerful and comforting are the thoughts that fill my heart when I think about the message bursting forth from Psalms 4:8, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." When we wait for the Lord, we will gain new strength and with calmness and peacefulness of soul lie down and sleep the night through knowing that all is well with our soul. We can awake in the morning and begin a new day of existence confident that the all-seeing eye of our Lord will be watching over us and will so long as we honor, and obey him, putting our trust and confidence in him, he will lead us safely through the day (Proverbs 15:3, Hebrews 4:13, Psalms 33:18-22, Psalms 35:17-19).   

The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:2-3 to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and consider what he endured so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. As a faithful child of God we have a hope that goes beyond the bounds of planet earth (2 Corinthians 5:1-9, John 14:1-3). As for me, I am at peace today no matter what I have to face as I press onward. I know the Lord is with me and watches over me and one day I want to stand in the wonderful city of God and simply cry out, it sure is good to be home! I pray you feel the same about yourself today but if you don't, I ask you, why not?

 Charles Hicks