Isaiah has a word for the weary. Take just three minutes to read about it!
Reading through the Bible…Isaiah 39-42/Colossians 4-I Thessalonians 1
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.
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; 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 40:28-31 NIV)
You are not alone: Even youths grow tired and weary…Everyone, even young people, get worn out. We all get to those places where we literally gasp for breath. Even youths get exhausted, emptied out completely, used up. We totter, collapse with weak legs. We stumble and fall.
God can help: He (God) will not grow tired or weary…Everyone gets worn out…except God. The One who Creates the earth never stops Sustaining the earth. He is able to keep us from falling because your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. (Psalm 121:4). God, mother nature, gravity, whatever or whomever you might think keeps the Universe operating, that force doesn’t get tired. The Sun shines, the planets rotate. The Force never faints.
You just have to hope: …those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…When we put our faith in the Force that never faints, we can find renewed strength. Those who hope or wait on God (which implies both watching and praying) can win out over their weakness.
Writing…
Isaiah has a word from the Lord for us youths and not-so-youths. For the rich and the poor. Even for Republicans and Democrats.
In order to heed it, however, we must acknowledge that we need it.
You know the old saying, “It’s hard to soar like an eagle, when you are surrounded by turkeys.” According to Isaiah, we all have the potential to soar like an eagle, if we will stop gobbling at each other like Turkeys (the Jonathan amplified version). We can fly when we stop hating each other and start waiting, instead, on God.
Eagles can fly without the wind, but their ability to travel long distances is severely limited without it. Without waiting for the wind, eagles are relegated to flapping their powerful wings to take off and gain lift.
Eagles can fly without the help of wind. However, they can fly farther and more effortlessly when they wait and watch for the wind.
Building…
Similarly, we can get things done without waiting for the wind of God’s Spirit. It just takes a whole lot more effort.
Yesterday, I’m tired. I don’t want to be with people. I don’t want to sing songs of worship to God. I’m not even liking God much in my moment. I just want to doom scroll my way into a mild despair.
I’m perched on the edge of a cliff of cocooning. I don’t want to go to church. I would rather indulge in self pity and debilitating grief.
Years ago, I might have gotten out on a run. (Youths you know). Yesterday, I can only walk across Washington BLVD to BLVD Church.
I sit in back. I don’t go forward for prayer. Still, one of the pray-ers, Mark, comes and puts a praying hand on my shoulder. Life group friend Annie gives me a hug. Kate, on the pastoral staff, adds her own intercession.
It takes five different people from two different churches and one small group leader to pray for me. However, the sunshine of their prayer finally heats the ground under my feet. Thermals result.
Soon, I’m not walking or running, I’m soaring. Two powerful encounters with Jesus follow.
Yesterday, I could have been a turkey, gobbling up hate on social media. Thanks to the help of paranormal, thermal prayer, I end up an eagle.
Still, on most days, it’s not quite so dramatic. I’m not flying. When feeling young, I’m on the run. When respecting my age, I’m taking it just one walking step at a time.
Here’s the thing, though. I find that particularly when I’m weary…waiting works. Maybe, it will for you too.
I'll pray too. These are hard times.