Renewed Strength

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 40:30,31

Little children like to run everywhere. It doesn’t matter how short the distance. It can simply be from one side of the room to the other. The three-year-old is more than likely going to run that distance.

Part of the reason they do this is that they have short legs and need to take way more steps to cross the room than fully grown people. But they also run because they just have lots of energy.

Yet even those children with seemingly endless energy grow tired after a while. Eventually, they grow into adults, and their levels of energy decrease, and weariness sets in more quickly.

What a beautiful promise from the Lord that he will give us renewed strength! To “run and not grow weary”—it sounds too good to be true. Yet, it’s a promise from the Lord, so we know it is true.

Those who know that Jesus is their Savior, who treasures the forgiveness that is theirs because of his death on the cross, can walk with an extra spring in their step. The pressing weight of sin and guilt does not slow them down. They know that their relationship with God is defined by his love and will last forever.

When that relationship is enjoyed inside the gates of heaven, then their youth will truly and fully be renewed. None of the physical problems, none of the aches and pains that seem to grow more severe with age will be present there. Knowing that day will come gives the believer in Jesus a little extra energy in life as well.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you know that I am tired. Keep my eyes focused on the eternity in heaven that your Son, Jesus, won for me through his death on the cross. There I know that my strength will be renewed and will never grow weary again. Until I get there, give me strength and energy as you have promised. Amen.