Our favorite passage for this week is found in Isaiah 40:30-31: “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they 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.”Some see this passage as saying that God is “ON THEIR SIDE.” Too many people see God as serving them, rather than the other way around. The look at salvation as “fire insurance,” but have no intention of changing their lives. They may show up on Sunday, at least occasionally, but just want God to hand out some blessings.So if I want God’s strength, Isaiah’s passage tells us that there are a few things we need to do. First, we have to understand our need for God’s help. And we have to believe He can supply that need. Notice, the promise is for those who are faint and weary, those who have no strength. They KNOW they can’t make it on their own and so they’re looking for God to help them in their lives.Jesus said something very similar to us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). And Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”It is not in our personal strength that we gain confidence, instead it is in HIS strength. It is not because I was clever or smart. I was strong because God was strong. The reason we can trust God to give US strength is because HE is able! He has power and wisdom beyond anything we can imagine. He is the CREATOR, the is EVERLASTING God. He loves you. He wants to share that power with you, if you just believe.
