Isaiah 40:30-31 (RSV)
“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.”
This has been my life verse for many years, especially when I got into recovery. Recovery can be a hard and often painful process. It never went as fast as I wanted it to. There were days where I was ready to give in because I was not making the progress that I thought I should.
This verse always reminded me that my strength did not come from me. There was no way for me to muster up more. It came from God and God alone. Knowing this really helped me get through the tough days. I knew that God would renew me, he would give me the strength I needed at the moment I needed it. I know that recovery is not a race to be run, but a journey. Having God on my side helps me to not be weary, but keep up the fight.
I remember a few years back I was on a job site at work having a tough day. I don't remember the details, but I do remember that the job site was adjacent to Puget Sound, a prime location for spotting eagles, given the nearby water and food source.
Well, sure enough, there it was, a majestic bald eagle perched on the flagpole right above the spot where I was working. The eagle soon took flight and flew away. I was amazed as I watched it spread its wings, soaring ever higher and higher with hardly a flap. It seemed effortless.
As I watched this display, something resonated deeply within me. I was reminded to wait and rely on the Lord. He would give me strength, raise me up and guide my path. It wouldn’t be without hardship, but it would be easier.
Too often we want things to happen according to our timing, and we use our strength to try and make it happen. However, let us be reminded today to wait on the Lord and trust Him to provide in all situations.
Contributed by: Tim
Reflection:
- What do you need to wait on the Lord for today? In what areas of your life are you trying to rely on your own strength instead of trusting in God’s timing and provision?
Prayer:
Spend a few minutes praying for the patience and trust to wait on the Lord. Ask Him to reveal the areas in your life where you’ve been relying on your own strength and to help you surrender those burdens to His care. Earnestly invite God to renew your heart and give you the strength you need to endure with faith in His perfect timing.