Tiredness happens every day. It’s hardwired into the DNA of every man and woman, boy and girl, for weariness to set in at a certain point, and our body calls for rest. But there’s a deeper weariness than merely physical. We can become exhausted emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. We can lose our strength as we endure the constant drip of dark days.
The young grow weary. The smallest of us nap daily. But the older of our kind can find a combination of physical and mental tiredness that feels completely debilitating. Age itself can slow us.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE RENEWED STRENGTH?
Isaiah thought so. And, because he spoke for God Himself, apparently, our Creator does too. But how do we access an extraordinary strength that is sufficient to meet the demands of every day?
The foundation of all spiritual empowering is God Himself. Look how Isaiah describes Him.
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. (Isaiah 40:28)
Man’s search for an unending energy source is based on a Divine reality, for there is such a Source. God never gets tired. He never encounters anything that exhausts Him, that is too much for His capacity. Not only is there unending physical strength, but also unending wisdom. “His understanding is inscrutable” means it is beyond our ability to conceive. It never stops. It is not a renewable energy, for it never needs renewal. It is an inexhaustible source.
God is not selfish. He has promised to give His energy to those who will pursue Him.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. (Vs. 29)
He doesn’t just help the weary; He GIVES THEM the gift of Divine strength. Any man who has genuinely come to know Christ and has the Spirit of God living inside of him has access to this unending power. If he depends upon the Christ who lives within him, he will be given the necessary strength to do anything and everything. This is why Paul, facing intense difficulties, proclaimed, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
A NON-DISCRIMINATORY AGE LIMIT
Older people might foolishly believe this empowerment is not available to them. But precisely the opposite is true, for they are the ones who need it most. And often, because life has shown them their weakness, they are the ones who turn to the Christ within most readily. When they were younger, they vainly trusted their own abilities. Hopefully, age has taught them better.
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. (Vs. 30-31)
These verses are specifically designed to be heard and accessed by those who, because of age or stress, are out of strength. Isaiah speaks of youths and vigorous young men who lose their strength but then promises a NEW strength to both young and old. This is a different kind and different source of power for all who will wait on the Lord.
This new strength (i.e., strength that we did not have before) will give us, right now and in every now, the ability to run and not get tired and walk and not get weary. Only God in us could accomplish such a stunning feat!
I had been very sick all night one Saturday night and needed to preach the next morning in multiple services. I pulled myself into a side room and complained to the Lord. “Father, I don’t have the strength to do this,” I whined. Suddenly the Spirit of God within me whispered, “Who said this is about your strength?” Startled and humbled, I gave the Lord my body for His use once again and asked Him to flood me with His strength. I went out and preached with overwhelming power—a strength not of my own. I have found this is always available, by God’s grace, as the years and weariness have grown.
As you face the exhaustion of life, believe in God and His promises. Trust the sufficiency of Christ and realize that His “power is perfected in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Admit your weakness and trust the God who lives within you. Ask Him to literally BE your strength for the task ahead. You will find all you need, and He will get all the glory.
