"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 40:31
Such a familiar verse. Memorized, repeated, meditated upon! Yesterday I dissected this verse and found how truly full of promises this really is.
I really need to read verse 28 first, because it sets us up by reminding us who God is after all!! "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
Then in verse 29 clears up the fact that we will in fact we will face troubles and trials, but He starts it out with a promise: "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;" Then we get to the verse above.
We have been doing some backyard birding recently. Having a new puppy has really increased our time outside. As birders, we don't really feel comfortable being outside with out our binoculars. Especially in Florida during the winter months. My husband said he spotted 30 different species right in our own back yard. Just yesterday we saw a mature bald eagle just soaring over our heads. It was so crystal clear you could see the face and the beak contrasted by the black wings and body! Such an amazing sight to see. So peaceful! Not the first time by any means, but I think that this time, it just came alive to me through this verse, because I was reading Isaiah 40:31 exactly at the same time my husband called me out to see the sighting. I came back into the house and dissected this verse and found that it was exactly what I needed for this time in my life. My hope is in the Lord.
To hope in the Lord is to trust him fully with our lives; I believe it involves looking to him as our source of help and grace in time of need. I see several things, first, those who hope in the Lord are promised God's strength to revive them in the midst of exhaustion and weakness, of suffering and trials. I have experienced this just as recent as early this morning! Truly!
Secondly, those who hope in the Lord are promised that God will give them the ability to rise above their difficulties like an eagle that soars into the sky. Just look at the eagle. When I watch an eagle soar my lungs enlarge, it rejuvenates me! Just thinking that the Lord gives me the ability to coast, soar above my difficulties brings me such peace!
Thirdly, those who hope in the Lord are promised that the Lord will give them the ability to run spiritually without tiring and to walk steadily forward without fainting at God's delays. OH how often we don't want to wait! OH what we miss when we try to rush God! I just reminded my husband of this very thing. He is called at this time in his life to care for his grandfather. It is challenging to say the least, exhausting, both physically, mentally and spiritually. But God promises Mike that he can do this...that He will give Mike the strength to endure, no matter how long!
Finally, God promises that if his people will patiently trust him, he will provide whatever is needed to sustain them constantly. I have lived that, I'm know that the Lord is faithful and His Word is true! We are in a place right now where it is hard to see an end. We really cannot leave the house, until Pop is back in respite two days a week. We cannot go out together even for a walk on the beach. I know that won't last forever. It is hard to watch someone you love deteriorate in his mind so much! It is difficult to endure for sure. We all have our things. For some it is financial, some it is regarding family situations, or physical challenges. Whatever it is we face, we cannot forget that we don't face an unbeatable foe, or an obstacle too big! As for the Engels...our hope is in the Lord.
