#DailyDevotion Who Or What Are Depending On?

Isaiah 40: ²⁹He gives strength to the weary and provides vigor to those who have none. ³⁰Young men get tired and weary; in spite of their young vigor, they may fall exhausted; ³¹but those who depend on the LORD get new strength. They lift up their wings like eagles; they run and don’t get tired; they walk and don’t get weary.

Previously in verse 28 it said, “The everlasting God, the LORD who made the whole earth, doesn’t get tired or weary.” This is good news for all who trust in him. I know there is so much out there just in regular life that wears us down, jobs, co-workers, teachers, students, bosses, clients, kids, extra-curricular activities and the like and we may wonder or doubt we have the strength for it all. Add to that mix extraordinary times and politics and sometimes it’s enough to make you want to go back to bed and hide in the sheets.

There is One who helps us and gives us strength for the day if we would put our trust in him and cry out to him for help, the LORD Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven. Isaiah here says, “²⁹He gives strength to the weary and provides vigor to those who have none.” It’s good to know there is someone we can turn to in turbulent times and in regular times when you feel you’ve just had enough of everything. The strength and vigor are not our own. They are the LORD’s who doesn’t get tired or weary.

So the LORD promises here, “³¹but those who depend on the LORD get new strength.” Who are what are you depending on? Are you depending on yourself, other people, coffee, tea, meth, alcohol, food or anything else to get you through the day? God did not create these things for you to be dependent on them or any other good thing he created. They do have their use and proper applications. Ultimately, they will fail you. They are only created things just like you.

He says, “those who depend on the LORD.” Jesus says in Matthew 6, “³³Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you, too.” Seeking God’s kingdom first put you in the place to trust and depend upon God your Father. It means to put your trust, your life, your life to come in the hands of Jesus, to listen to his word, believe it and do it.

Jesus on many occasions left the crowds and even his disciples to spend time in prayer. Sometimes it is recorded angels ministered to him and he was strengthened. If Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all that is needed to take time off in prayer and be ministered to before his glorification, how much more so for the rest of us worms? How much time do you spend in prayer turning all your cares over to the One who cares for you? How often do you ask him for strength for the day and guidance? If we do, do we believe he hears us, listens to us and gives us what we prayed for? Do we give him thanks believing he heard us and will give us what we need? If we depend on the LORD then our lives will be more like this, “They lift up their wings like eagles; they run and don’t get tired; they walk and don’t get weary.” Life is more like having the wind support us (i.e. the Spirit) than the humming bird whose beats their wings so fast you can even see it. Sure the eagle flaps her wings (but every analogy falls somewhere). The point is, depending on the LORD in prayer will make dealing with life a lot easier to deal with.

Heavenly Father, so prompt us to pray for help, to cast our cares upon you so we receive your strength and vigor for the day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.