Strength for the weary

Life is difficult.

If you made a list of all the hardships you are facing right now I’m sure the list would be long. Every one of us faces difficulties and trials in life, Christians are not exempt! Some of the trials on your list probably include health concerns, financial difficulties, worries about your children or grandchildren, a marriage crisis, just to name a few. You are not alone. The hardships you are facing are the same type of hardships the person next to you is going through or has gone through.

As we face hardships in life we become weary. We lose strength. At times we lose sight of who God is and focus more on the difficulty at hand. When that happens God becomes very small and powerless in our eyes while the situation becomes overpowering and quite large according to our perception. What we need in those times is what Israel needed in her time- the Word of God.

Isaiah 40 begins a new section in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah addresses exiles in the future who will be delivered from captivity in Babylon more than a century down the road. While in captivity the discouraged Israelite complains that God has forgotten them (v27). In their situation they feel like God has given up on them or doesn’t regard them in their situation. If that is you, consider changing your perspective.

1. See God as He is- All powerful Creator and sovereign ruler of the universe. There is nothing more powerful than God and there never will be! God never gets worn down like we do. He never struggles. And even when we struggle to makes sense of our situation we can rest assured He knows everything perfectly (V.28)

2. Understand what God is able to do- He gives strength to those who are weary. He is more than able to help us stand firm. And He is willing to do it! (v29)

3. Trust Him- those who hope in the Lord, or trust Him, are the ones who He will strengthen. He does not give up on His people! (v30)
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If your life is in a difficult situation, turn to Him and He will give you strength that is needed to patiently endure to the end.