Strength for the weak

“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.” (Isa. 40:31)

When you are weak and weary

Sometimes things happen that cause you to feel weak. Sometimes it’s a sickness, or maybe it’s something else, such as the loss of a job, a relationship, or some kind of crisis that saps your strength, leaving you feeling weak and vulnerable. The Apostle Paul described an attack he received from persecutors who constantly followed him around and harassed him (2 Cor. 11:32), as well as being attacked by what he described as “a messenger of Satan,” he called “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). Five times in the chapter, he described the attacks as “weaknesses” (2 Cor. 12:5–10). And he said, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to remove it. But God didn’t. Instead, He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This reminded Paul of something very important, and he concluded with, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:8–10).

Understand this

God’s people, especially when they are about to stand up for Christ, will get attacked by the forces of evil. But know that God has already supplied sufficient grace to deal with any attack or weakness that will come your way (you don’t have to ask Him again for what He’s already supplied!) And the more the enemy attacks you, the stronger the Lord will make you!

And God has given you many wonderful promises to equip you, such as the passage at the top that promises He will renew your strength when you put your hope in Him.

Therefore

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 20:49 ESV)

“On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.” (Psalm 138:3)

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)