Finding Strength in the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 40:27-31 offers timeless wisdom on how to access God’s strength in our daily lives. Isaiah 40 paints a somber picture of Israel's history. After the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 BC and the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC, the people of God found themselves in exile, questioning if God had forgotten them. They were promised a land flowing with milk and honey, yet they were now displaced and destitute. Just as the Israelites faced their crises, we too encounter life's challenges. The questions arise: Is God strong enough to give me the strength I need? Does God care enough to provide that strength? Isaiah 40 answers these questions, assuring us of God's power and concern.

I. Contemplate His Capabilities
To access God’s strength, we must answer the question: Can God strengthen us?
 
Isaiah 40 gives several of God’s attributes, so we can marvel at His majesty:

1. Merciful: God is rich in mercy, pardoning our iniquities (Isaiah 40:1-2).
2. Eternal: The Word of God stands forever, unchanging amidst a rapidly changing world (Isaiah 40:8).
3. Omnipotent: God measures the waters and weighs the mountains, showcasing His immense power (Isaiah 40:12).
4. Gentle: Like a shepherd, God gently leads and cares for us (Isaiah 40:11).
5. Omniscient: God knows everything, from the beginning to the end (Isaiah 40:13-14).
6. Sovereign: God's plan will never be thwarted by man; He is in control of all nations (Isaiah 40:15-17, 22).

II. Count on His Concern
To access God’s strength, we must answer the question: Does God care about us?
Isaiah 40:27 says, “Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, And my just claim is passed over by my God’?” I like how the Message paraphrases this, “Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, ‘God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me’?”

Life's crises can make us question if God is truly concerned enough to help us. Isaiah reassures us that God is not only powerful but also deeply concerned about each of us. He knows our struggles and cares for us individually. Trusting in God's care means believing that He is aware of our needs and is actively working to meet them. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” God cares about you individually. He knows what you're going through. And your way is not hidden from God.

III. Catch His Currents
To access God’s strength, we must answer the question: What does it mean to wait on the Lord?

Isaiah 40:31 says, “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.”
 
This verse promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. The eagle, which soars without flapping its wings, symbolizes the strength we can gain by waiting on the Lord. Eagles catch thermal currents, allowing them to soar effortlessly. Similarly, when we wait on God, we catch the "thermal currents" of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to conserve energy and gain strength.

Waiting on the Lord involves three things:

• Seeking God’s Presence - This means spending time with Him, not just in moments of crisis, but daily. When we seek God's presence, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• Sensing God’s Plans - God has a plan for each of us, and His plans are always for our good. When we wait on the Lord, we begin to sense His plans for our lives. This involves listening to His voice and being open to His guidance. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
• Serving God’s Purposes - This means using the strength and guidance we receive from God to serve others and fulfill His will. It's about being ready to do what God wants us to do, much like a waiter ready to serve. When we serve God's purposes, we find true fulfillment and joy. It's not about adding more to our to-do list, but about aligning our actions with God's will. God has given each one of us enough time to do that which He's asked us to do. But what do we do? We try to do what God tells us to do, and then we add a whole bunch of other activities that we think are good ideas – and we are exhausted. We will enjoy God’s strength when we focus our lives on what He has told us to do and stay content in God’s will.

This week, challenge yourself to wait on the Lord. Spend time in His presence, seek His plans, and serve His purposes. Reflect on the following questions:

• Have you focused more on your problems than on God's power to solve them?
• Do you believe that God cares about your individual needs and circumstances?
• Are you waiting on God, allowing His Spirit to guide and strengthen you?

God's strength is available to us not just in times of crises but in our everyday lives. By contemplating His capabilities, counting on His concern, and catching the currents of the Holy Spirit, we can find the strength to soar, run, and walk in our Christian journey. Let God set the pace in your life, and experience the renewal that only He can provide.

“Dear God, I pray that You help me learn to wait on You. I want to experience Your strength. I need Your strength. Help me remember that my way is not hidden from You. You know where I am, and You care about me. I pray You would help me wait on You, seeking Your presence, sensing Your plans and serving Your purposes. I choose to let You set the pace in my life. Thank You for Your strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

* This devotional blog is adapted from the sermon: "Strengthened by the Holy Spirit."