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 stable and fall; but those who hope in the the Lord will renew their strength, they soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
- - - - -
My capacity to rely on the strength of another is quite slim.
I can say that I need people. I can even offer them ways to "assist" me. But deep down, I do not extend my true needs. Why? Because I trust in my ability. I am confident in my power. I am certain of my strengths. And I know how I like things done.
Though this is probably true for the majority of us, it is a symptom of a large, false belief: If I try hard enough, I - on my own - can make things better.
In fact, at a young age, we are ingrained this principle. That if we put our whole selves into it, then we will accomplish it. That if we try hard enough, we will succeed. And if we press in, do more, and discipline daily, then we will become strong enough to handle it.
Yet, this does not turn out so well. In our pursuit of strength, we demolish relationships. We effect our hearts. We break down our capacity to love. And we become consumed with pride, bitterness, or insecurity.
Human strength will always have an end; a crash; a fall.
But then I look at the passage above and become incredibly humbled. The focus of "capability" is certainly not on us... Let's read it in a different way:
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Greg [or insert your name] is not the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the Earth.
He will certainly grow tired and weary,
His understanding is so fathomable...
In focusing on our pursuit of strength, we quickly forget the Giver of Strength. For unlike my existence, God is everlasting; the Creator of everything. Unlike my fading abilities, He is unwavering in strength and might. And unlike my feeble mind, His wisdom and knowledge is unimaginable.
And in His great power, He graces people with all that He has. And notice who Isaiah states are the receivers of God's great strength and power...The weary and the weak who hope in the Lord.
What if your inability to feel God's strength stems from your inability to name your weaknesses? What if your doubt of God's power comes from your desire to keep quiet your inner weariness? And what if your bitterness towards your situation is only magnified because you will not admit your needs?
If that is you, then name your weaknesses, voice your weariness, and admit your needs.
But notice the second part...For there those of you reading this who currently feel so weak and weary. You feel as if you are dragging your limbs through each moment. And you fight daily to remain somewhat "put together."
Your take-away is to hope. Regardless of your weakness, God's promise of strength is extended to those who place their hope - their expectations, their ideas of what is to come, and their lives from now on - in the mighty power of the Lord.
This is the hard task of handing your weaknesses to the Lord, while focusing on His capacity to hold them, mold then, and strengthen your soul. This is when you soar, run, and walk in the might of the Lord.
Today, respond to the Lord sufficiently, for He will show up in your weakness.
Blessings,
Greg, Declare Glory
Today's image by God's Fingerprints:
