Those Who Hope | Qualities of Women Who Trust Jesus Series
“…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
Soaring through the air like an eagle must feel exhilarating. Too bad most of our daily tasks don’t have that thrilling effect on us. Sometimes the thing we’re called to do feels less like an adventure and more like a walk around the neighborhood. A really, really long walk… that you take everyday. All day. One step after the other, one mile after the other. For like 10 years.
This is homeschooling for me.
Every one of my homeschool muscles are burning sore. My skin is blistered and my insides worn out. Other things have this deteriorating effect on us too: marriage, parenting, work, being a good person. It’s all exhausting.
This is why we need God’s word to nourish our souls. We grow weary on the long, winding road of life. Digesting his word every single day is what brings us the strength and hope we need to keep going. Quoting the Old Testament, Jesus put it like this: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God’s word is our bread, our life-source. Without it, our energy drains and our hearts grow faint.
Isaiah 40 is one of those richly nourishing passages that remind us of who God is and who we are. It’s exactly what we need when the stretch of road is long and there’s no rest in sight.
What Isaiah 40 says about God
God is the Creator of all things and cannot be compared with anything or anyone else. He’s altogether different. He sits enthroned above the world and sees everything in it. He hung each star in its place one-by-one and knows each by name! He never experiences exhaustion. He possesses great power and might, but He doesn’t keep it all to Himself. He’s a benevolent God, giving strength to the weak ones who hope in Him. (Isaiah 40:25-31)
What Isaiah 40 says about us
Even the best of us— the young ones with all the energy— grow tired and weary. By nature, our energy depletes, and we can’t possibly do it all or be it all. But there are two types of people in this world: those who try to do and be in their own strength and those who hope in the Lord. For the latter, there’s a promise of sustainable, renewable energy on the journey.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” That word renew is translated elsewhere in the Old Testament as a change of clothes (i.e. Genesis 35:2). Such a great word picture. Think of how good it feels to take off dirty, smelly, sweat-soaked clothes and to put on a dry, fresh outfit.
This is what hoping in the Lord feels like. It’s an exchange that takes place between Him and us— our rags for His robes, our weakness for His strength, our weariness for His energy. It’s an uneven trade— we get the way-better end of the deal— but it’s ours for the taking if we’re willing to hope.
Don’t lose hope, Sister. In the areas of life where you feel worn and tired, He’s there. His word ready to nourish; His Spirit ready to empower. In the craziness, right there in the middle of it, we can call out to Him. We can believe that He’s with us, that He has a purpose, and that good things are in store.
So, whisper prayers of hope over crying babies in the night,
worship-dance at the kitchen sink,
lift your palms to the sky in surrender when you feel like you’re losing control,
sing praise lyrics at the top of your lungs in the car,
think of God’s nearness until you smile,
resolve to not let your emotions run the show —
in these moments and a thousand others like them,
choose to be counted among those who hope.
For Your Journal
Find It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a Bible verse. You can find a verse that fits a current life situation or use the one we used in today’s devotion.
“…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
Fix It:
In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse you chose above, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:
HOPE in the Lord
My weakness for God’s strength
Renewed Strength
Feel It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the Bible passage and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit so that you begin to feel like the new person you’re becoming in Christ. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.
Dear Lord, I believe that you sit enthroned above the world, exalted over all things. You see a panoramic view of the whole earth laid out before you and yet you know me and care about me. Thank you that you are a God who doesn’t get tired or give up. I praise you for your power, and I thank you for making your power available to me in my weakness. Give me strength to walk the road you’ve marked out for me today, and may my words and actions point others to you as the source of all strength. Amen.