“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” Isaiah 40:28-29
Tasks that I wanted to complete yesterday, or at least start in a substantial way, got transferred to today as I just couldn’t function anymore. Acknowledging my weakness, I went to bed in an attempt to get rested and start early today. That didn’t happen either as my body demanded more rest than I had allotted time for. Needless to say, I have felt that I was behind and thoroughly depleted all day. Strength is one of those things that we take for granted when we have it, but causes great frustration when it’s lacking. However it’s not just physical strength…sometimes we need the strength meet a need or change a habit or maybe we need the spiritual strength to live the life to which God has called us. Whether we are trying to live a life that honors our Lord, overcome a challenge in our life, or just get through the day, strength is often a pivotal factor that determines how successful we are.
As Christians we know intellectually that God is the source of our strength, however, we often behave as if we were self-sufficient. If our biases with respect or our own lives prevent us from learning that lesson, we do well to read much of the Old Testament. When the Jews acknowledged God as the provider of all things and followed His direction, they were strengthened and succeeded…especially in battle. However, when they acted on their own, they failed. In our own lapses in judgment, we need the reminder given to us in Isaiah: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” Of course we knew and we have heard, yet we seem to forget. Now, take a minute to let the next part of the passage sink in. “The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the earth” takes notice of you and will supply the strength that’s needed. Further, not only does Almighty God take notice and is willing, but He never becomes tired; He is the source of strength and has an endless supply that He is happy to provide. Psalm 121:1-2 eloquently reminds us that not only is God our source of strength, but He is the only source: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.”(MSG)
When we consider that our strength is provided by the Everlasting God, the Lord and the Creator of the earth, we might be tempted to wonder why God would even notice that we have a need. Here are just a few reasons: He is our God (Isaiah 41:10); Christ is our High Priest, (Hebrews 4:16); and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is our God both corporately and individually, but that latter is personal and about our relationship with Him. He created us, planned our lives, and has promised to strengthen and sustain us when we rely on Him. He desires for us to succeed and is working to sanctify and perfect us…encouragement comes when He strengthens us. Christ completely understands our weakness. He understands when we are tired, famished, ill, spiritually depleted and emotionally bankrupt…He knows all of our weaknesses and knows exactly what we need. As our High Priest He intercedes for us perfectly so that we receive exactly what is necessary for the moment. God’s strength fits perfectly with our weakness to give us a testimony. Sometimes that testimony is that He has worked wondrously to meet a need or relieve a calamity, while at other times He gives us the strength of faith and character to endure with grace and joy. Daniel was rescued from the natural tendency of the lions, yet to prove that they were not docile, God caused them to immediately devour Daniel’s enemies. Conversely, rather than rescue Steven, God gave him the grace and strength to endure his stoning and death in a manner that both gave him peace and glorified God…perfect strength in adversity. When our weakness meets God’s strength, there is always a testimony to God’s goodness and glory.
As I read through many of the passages regarding God’s provision of strength, it occurred to me that most, if not all, are somewhat vague as to the kind of strength provided. I suspect that it is because God supplies both a variety of strengths and combinations of strengths. Consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God gave them the spiritual fortitude to stand their ground and refuse to bow down to the idol; He gave them the intellectual strength necessary to state their position; He gave them the emotional strength to endure being tied and carried into the furnace; and finally He provided unnatural physical strength so that neither their bodies nor their clothing were damaged by the flames. Philippians 4:19 reminds us that He will supply all of our needs…that includes any strength or ability that may be essential to complete a task or endure a trial.
The timing of God’s provision is multifaceted. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that God is our “ever-present help”. In other words He is always available. However, like manna in the wilderness, He doesn’t give us the necessary strength until it’s actually required. Luke 12:12 speaks to this with respect to the early Christians defending themselves before the synagogues, rulers and authorities. Rather than attempt to prepare a “canned defense” ahead of time, they were to depend on the Holy Spirit to give them the exact words to use in the moment. Another side to God’s timing is our attitude. 1 Chronicles 16:11 reminds us to “seek the Lord and His strength”. Isaiah 30:15 tells us that we will find strength when we: repent, are quiet, at rest and trusting. Ephesians 6:10 instructs us to remember to be strong “in the Lord” rather than attempting to be self-sufficient. Truly our need for strength is like any other need and Christ tells us in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God is always available with and endless supply to provide what we need at just the right moment when we draw near to Him and seek to do His will.
Rather than composing a proper literary summary, I feel led to finish this post as I opened it with Isaiah 40:28-31 which is a favorite of mine. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary”.
I wrote the first paragraph of this post the first week in January and I am still struggling to complete it the night before I intend to post it. For a month now, I have been looking at scripture, mulling the topic, and trying to write and edit, yet even now I would like to polish it some more. I am both physically and mentally weak as I try to finish it. This is the time to practice what I write and, therefore, I have a few thoughts on that matter. First, I am relying on God to provide the right words for what He wants to say…there are many more swimming around in my head. I trust that when I hit publish, He is able, if He so chooses, to edit what I have written after the fact. I firmly believe that He had a reason for it to be published today rather than the first week in January. I suspect that there may be an element of Satan trying to thwart its posting or at least discourage me from writing as I have renewed the fees to continue the website for another three years. While I am weak indeed, our God is strong and able to provide beyond what I can imagine. I pray that God is working to provide exactly the right words to whomever reads this whether one or many.
Do not fear, for God is with you; do not be dismayed, for He is your God. He will strengthen you and help you; He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.
Will