“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not be faint. ” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

All of us get tired and weak sometime. We burn out. We need renewal and even compassionate people sometimes suffer from compassion fatigue.  At times, our patience runs out, our tempers flare, and our responses become curt, if not downright mean.

In a series of messages on comfort, Isaiah (40:21-31) raises some good questions asking, “Have you not been paying attention? Have you not, been listening? Do you understand God is the foundation of all things, and to Him we are like mere ants?” Isaiah (40:21-22 MB)

To God, the kings and queens of this world, its priests, preachers, and political leaders all come and go, and (we) mean nothing to Him, especially when our actions displease Him, It is then He has to replace us.

Who is it that can hold a candle to God? God is so powerful, and is very attentive to detail; He never overlooks the actions of a single soul. God’s strength lasts; God never gets tired; nor does His compassion run out. Even youth get tired and weary, and young men do stumble and fall, but God can and will re-energize them and us all.

It is important to remember God is able to save every one of us, and He can surely save His church. God is wise, and He is never at a loss for words; nor does He wonder what to do about any situation we may face.

God didn’t just create the world. He still upholds it, and He governs all that’s in the world. ISIS can burn a pilot alive, and Jordan can retaliate by killing two of their soldiers. Planes can crash and disappear into the sea. Babies can suffer brain cancer and men and women can die. President Barack Obama can speak the truth about America’s hypocrisy and upset some people, but God is never at a loss with what to do about all of these things.

When we don’t know what to do, God does. All we have to do is seek His wisdom by turning to His word and study it, meditate on it day and night, and then turn to Him in prayer.  He will guide our feet, comfort our hearts and put the right words in our mouths.

God upholds and governs creation. As God grants us new occasions to serve Him in ministry, we are given new anointing to do so, and our lamps are then supplied with fresh oil. He gives us new strength.  As He increases our work, He increases our strength. As the struggles of each day come, so, too, comes our strength for that day’s task.

When we don’t know what to do, He does. God gives strength and power to the weak, and if needed He can increase it.

He will give us strength to labor. He will give us strength to wrestle. He will give us strength to resist.  He will give us strength to bear up under any burden!

So as goes the struggles of each day, so comes our strength. As goes our trust and patience in God so upwards shall we soar toward Him.

As goes our waiting and trusting in God, He then mounts us upon wings like those of eagles. We don’t need to climb on the wings, because it is our patience and trust in Him that grants us the right to mount. When our souls and spirits rise above our challenges, then shall our souls and spirits rise above the earth.

Those who have true patience show it and are willing to trust and wait on God. Somehow, they find their strength being renewed.

This is when we find the strength to run and not grow weary, and to walk and not faint.  As it was for Christ, so shall it be for us. When we know God is “The Source of Our Strength,” we never give out because He never gives up on us.  

The Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis is pastor of the Church of the Open Door UCC in Miami’s Liberty City community. He may be reached at 305-759-0373 or pastor@churchoftheopendoormiami.org