Renewing Strength

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. 

Isaiah 40:31 

We admire strength and desire it. We rejoice when we are strong, yet recognize that strength can come and go. We want more than just physical strength. We want to be strong mentally, spiritually and socially as well. Isaiah is sounding forth the promise that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. When we have found that our former strength has waned because of the weariness that long-term waiting brings, where shall we look to renew it? The answer is Christ. When we want spiritual renewal we make use of the means of Grace, and the Holy Spirit uses those means to show us Christ. When we want mental renewal we look to Christ as the great pattern for wise thinking. When we want renewal of our social strength we find ourselves drawn to those who make much of Christ and exemplify Christ. When we want physical renewal we take Christ for our example Who both labored and rested at the appropriate times. There is no area of life where Christ does not belong or have some example to set. By these very practical means we look to Christ daily to renew our strength. Thus, we go forth looking to Him, following Him and imitating Him with renewed strength. 

Our Wise and Faithful God, 
we rejoice at Your wisdom in setting Christ before us. 
We praise You that when our strength is failing, 
You bring us again to Christ 
to renew it. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning