Young People's Group

The Challenge to Renew Our Strength

by Mitchell Tan
November 06, 2015

EVEN YOUTHS CAN FEEL WEARY

There are times when our days can be long and dreary. University students are at a time when they are submitting lots of papers or projects or preparing for exams. The O level and A level exams are in full swing. Working life can also be felt as burdensome. No matter how young or strong we are, there are days when we feel really tired. This was something Isaiah wrote about in his book.

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall”
Isaiah 40:30

The people of Israel were going to be judged by the Lord and they would go into exile. But the day would come when Israel would be restored. And yet, despite the restoration, there would be misgivings and doubts about God (Isaiah 40:27). The young would feel faint and weary. No matter how physically strong we may be on the outside, our lack of faith can make us faint and falter.

GOD’S GIFT OF STRENGTH

“He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:29

Our source of strength is ultimately from the Lord. But before He gives us strength to work and to achieve things, we have to use up our own strength. We have to first push ourselves to the limit. God’s strength begins when our physical might ends. It is God who gives us the ability to press on. He increases our strength to overcome. Not only would there be a supply of strength, there would be more than enough for one to persevere. 2 Corinthians 12:9 speaks of the idea of how the Lord’s abundant grace is sufficient for us. His dynamic strength reaches its perfecting work and best expression in our weakness. Let’s learn to not to be afraid of working hard till we are tired and weary. It is the Lord who will supply and increase our strength through His grace.

GOD’S RENEWING OF OUR STRENGTH

“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength ”
Isaiah 40:31

Our challenge is to learn to trust and wait on the Lord. We are to endure and remain in the Lord no matter what we go through. We are to exercise continuous faith in Him. There would come a renewing of our strength. This is a spiritual “second wind” that comes to us when we need it the most. Somehow, the Lord will bring about this renewing of strength. Isaiah 30:15 speaks of how in quietness and confidence shall be our strength. It is when our hearts are still and we are trusting the Lord that He would give us strength. We will not be ashamed when we wait in Him (Isaiah 49:23). People will know that this strength is from the Lord.

GOD’S SUSTAINING OF OUR 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

There is nothing more majestic in the bird kingdom than an eagle mounting to take flight to the sky. When our strength is renewed, there comes this tremendous surge of power that enables us to go the extra mile. 2 Corinthians 4:16 speaks of how the inner man can be renewed day by day. There is the sustaining of strength for the Lord’s people who wait on Him. Those who run will not be weary. Those who walk will not faint. They will all be able to press on and overcome whatever challenges they may face. Let’s also wait on the Lord that He may sustain us in all our endeavours, whether it is work, exams or ministry.

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