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 40:31 (New International Version-NIV)
When I first started drafting this post, it escaped me it would go public on Valentine’s Day. I couldn’t believe it! What is even more spectacular is the topic I am presenting to you today – HOPE. It seems more than fitting to talk about a word that’s as much an action word as LOVE is. I present to you HOPE.
Synonyms of HOPE include Achievement, Ambition, Anticipation, Belief, Confidence, Desire, Endurance, Expectation, Faith, Gain, Longing, Optimism, Promise, Reliance, Reward, Security, Wish.
HOPE also stirs imagery like “Anchor”, “the Promise Land”, “the bright side”, “castles in the air” and “light at the end of the tunnel”. I am sure you can think of others.
One of my favorite scriptures on hope is found in the Book of Isaiah.
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 40:31 (New International Version-NIV)
Another version uses the word “wait”
But those who wait on 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. – Isaiah 40:31 (New King James Version – NKJV)
Another version uses the word “trust”
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31 (New Living Translation-NLT)
A little background:
The prophet Isaiah was called and committed to sharing messages on the deep covenant bond between God and His people. He would bring godly counsel to the kings and leaders of the land. With any covenant bond it speaks to God’s love and intimate relationship with people who are Believers in Christ. It implies God loves His people so much He will confront sin, coming judgement for His people’s disobedience, encourage caring for others and urge all of us to follow goodness and pursue social and economic justices.
Application:
In times of worry, anxiety, or loneliness, most will turn to alcohol, shopping, TV, internet, extramarital affairs, drugs, etc. These things may serve as a temporary distraction. It did for me. Food and alcohol were my comfort for an awfully long time. In the end, the only thing it did was dull my senses and enlarge my waistline. Frustrated that nothing was changing, and my clothes no longer fit, I had to return to the unshakable consistency and faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
While Americans are inundated with COVID-19 updates, pending impeachment trials, stimulus checks or other local and national news, stress is high. People are struggling with finding balance with family, zoom school, zoom meetings and maintaining affectionate relationships with their spouses and children. I imagine there is and will continue to be growing incidences of PSTD. For those of you who have a relationship with God and are devoting time in prayer and meditation, find confidence in surrendering your challenges to God, who will renew your strength.
On the other hand, if you do not have a relationship with Jesus, it will be tougher. The words – hope, wait and trust (in whatever version you read them) have little meaning. These words speak to the very nature and character of Jesus Christ. If you have no relationship with Him, then you cannot identify His character and what He can offer when Believers hope, wait and trust in Him. Admittedly, it is tough to remain consistent in what I hope, wait or trust Him for. Sometimes I miss not having a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Sometimes I miss not having my family and friends nearby. Sometimes I am in a mood, I cannot articulate. Yet, God assures me and you that when I hope, wait or trust Him, my strength is renewed. This is an amazing promise. God is not a man that He should lie. So I take Him at His word. My faith is anchored in His promises.
Another point to consider is the use of the word “but” in the start of verse 31. “But” is used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way. So here are a few of the verses prior to v.31
28 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.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
So on this Valentine’s Day, I invite you to step into a love relationship with the God who never lies, never leaves you alone, gave His life and continues to give, and is the most faithful. He loves you today and everyday. He loves you enough to allow you to make the choice to not love Him back. I urge you to accept this love. Your heart and life depends on it.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 new living translations-nlt
Here are The Four Spiritual Laws:
- God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
- Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.
- Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.
- We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. We receive Christ by Personal Invitation.
Prayer of Salvation:
Father, I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God; that He came to earth as a man in order to live the sinless life that we cannot live; that He died in our place, so that we would not have to pay the penalty we deserve. I confess my past life of sin — living for ourselves and not obeying God. I admit I am ready to trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I ask Jesus to come into my heart, take up residence there, and begin living through me. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you prayed this small prayer, the angels in heaven are rejoicing and celebrating this choice for a new life with Jesus Christ. Welcome to the family of God! I encourage you to find a local church where you can grow in the knowledge of God through His Word. Find a version of the Scriptures which is easy to read. Here is a site to help you get you started – BibleGateway.com
…now what, Linda.
now what, Linda? 