Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- November 4, 2010
“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 faint. Isaiah 40:30-31
There is a good weary. We can be weary in the Lord’s work and not be weary of the Lord’s work. Sleep is sweet at night knowing we have exhausted our efforts toward the will of God. Trust and hope in the Lord sends us into a real rest. We grow weary, but our fatigue is bolstered by faith. Our smile may be faint, but our heart is full of God’s grace.
In contrast, there is an unhealthy type of weariness that strives in the power of the flesh. It is the result of misguided motives. Perhaps we become driven by the fear of people. We are preoccupied with not wanting to let someone down. Our fear of people transcends our fear of God. We default into performance-based living. It saps our energy and leaves us feeling depleted. Worry is wearisome and fear is fatiguing. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
Indeed, the Lord is your hope and strength. Even as you experience accomplishments you can quickly lose faith, because you have not cultivated a hopeful heart. It’s present practitioners of hope who can extend hope to other faint-hearted souls. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).
An eagle soars somewhat effortlessly. He cannot create or direct wind, but he greatly benefits from its silent effect. He is hopeful that the wind will blow again tomorrow. But, if it is boisterous or too mild he may wait in his nest, positioned in the cleft of the rock. He experiences rest and renewal while he anticipates the energizing power of the unseen wind. In the same way, the Holy Spirit lifts those who wait to be empowered by Him.
You can run God’s race with patient endurance, but it comes through the process of hope and renewal. Hope in God expands your capacity. You can run harder and further in the renewed strength of the Holy Spirit. This is eternal energy that comes from God. Hope in the Lord renews your strength in your weariness. Thus, rest in God. Let the wings of your faith carry you as you wait on the wind of the Holy Spirit to empower you.
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
Does hope in the Lord renew my strength? Do I engage with eternity’s energy?
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 42:5; Micah 7:7; Romans 5:5; Galatians 3:3
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
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I really appreciated today’s devotional. The image of an eagle waiting for the wind in his nest and how it relates to me waiting for the Spirit is a calming and gentle reminder of the Lord’s continual presence. Thank you.
Amazing as the Lord spoke to me while looking at the sky yesterday and I saw two hawks gliding effortlessly hundreds of feet in the air. Instead of being anxious about doing the Lord’s work, I believe I will bear much more fruit if I just glide in the currents God has already provided for me and bloom where I’m planted and replace “do lists” with ” done lists”, rest in what Jesus has done for me in His finished work on the cross! Thank You Jesus!!!