“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 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 40:29-31
The wind has been blowing like crazy over 36 hours. I have listened to it rattle the window panes, blow down the chimney, and pummel my car while driving.
I like wind. I like to see it dry out the muddy ground, blow snow or sand into beautiful dunes, and keep hawks aloft floating over the earth. Maybe I need to clarify–I like breezes, not 30-40 mile per hour wind gusts. I like breezes that cool my perspiring brow in the summer, whisk away the dandelion seeds, and cause gentle ripples in the lake.
Today I went to a meeting, struggled to get out of my car door, and walked head-first into a huge gust of wind. Its force blew against me, surging my hair out almost horizontal, nearly blowing the sunglasses off the top of my head. This wind meant business, so I hunched down in my coat, gripped my books more tightly, and slogged across the parking lot, bracing myself against its icy power.
Everything seems to slow down and get more tiring when we are fighting against the wind. Walking into its powerful arms, resolve is needed to brace against it and keep going.
Sounds a little like life at times. Life can sometimes feel like walking into the wind–we brace ourselves just to keep moving, and end up at our destination fatigued, patting down our wind-blown hair or spirits.
I love this passage of Isaiah–it’s perfect for the wind-blown spirit. The tired, burned-out, weary soul, who has fought against the winds of life can be renewed. Isaiah reminds us that God gives us strength and can increase our power when we are weak. When we hope in the Lord, our strength can be renewed to fight the wind. And the clincher–not only can we fight the wind, but we can use it. God uses the wind to allow us to soar upon it like eagles! God’s power helps us rise above our troubles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. The very wind that was blowing us over is used to lift us up!
Take heart. If you are feeling wind-blown by life today, hope in the Lord, and He will renew your strength for your situation. Take that wind and use it to soar!
Prayer- “Lord God, sometimes the winds of life knock me over. I pray for your strength to help me rise from my weariness to soar for you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 