Devotionals from my Bible app: Our True Hope (Isaiah 40:31)

Note before sharing the devotional: Similar to the struggle I shared in Sunday's post about waiting (including waiting on God), I also often struggle with hope, especially during these times of waiting amid constant irritations. One thing I've found in talking with others with this same struggle is that it's the product of having had a hard life. Regardless of whether said "hard life" was self-inflicted vs. other-inflicted (or, most likely, some of both), having to continue to endure the hardnesses of life makes it very difficult for anyone to hope. I too have had a hard life, and when I look around and see the world continuing to fall apart, piece by piece, it's hard and sometimes downright impossible for me to develop hope for the future.

That said, the other thing I mentioned in the other post was about finding something I can do about this struggle as it pertains to my Christian faith walk, and that is intentionally spending time with God, tattooing His Word inside my mind and my spirit. The Bible speaks of hope that isn't based on circumstances, and sometimes all one can do is find a method of just downloading more of His Word into their subconscious. And I can happily say that this does work, especially for cultivating peace within me, but also hope that God will act in the right timing.

Also, I love today's verse for a myriad of reasons: 1.) it is hopeful, 2.) it is yet another of God's promises, 3.) it talks very clearly about God's nearness and His presence, and 4.) it also speaks clearly about a direct result of waiting on Him.

As a side note, I've wrestled with Philippians 4:13 because I've experienced people abusing that verse to try to convince others that simply because God gives them strength no matter what, therefore they should also be expected to do whatever the first people bid of them no matter how wrong or insane the bid is. As a result, that verse when used by itself turns me off. But how I have experienced God meet me in that struggle is because of Isaiah 40:31. As such, I will paste below both verses in sequence, to illustrate what I believe God has been trying to convey to me:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV

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, NKJV

In short, one of the hopes that is found in God (one of His promises) is that, no matter what the trial, no matter the circumstance, and no matter the depth and intensity of the hardnesses of life, etc... God will be there for me and care for me and personally give me His strength - the strength requisite to get through whatever it is I need to get through. He can (and will, if you trust Him) do the same for you as well.

What I also love about Isaiah 40:31 is that it does not hide or ignore the fact that we will at times lose strength. We will falter. There is no shame in and of itself in losing strength or faltering, as long as we remember to turn back to God and ask Him for help. This is what (to me) also makes His promise of renewing our strength that much more powerful, and I think makes it even more possible to trust Him in this.

Our True Hope

Life can be difficult sometimes. All of us go through seasons filled with difficulty, grief, or loss. And even if you haven’t experienced those things yet, you’ve probably had moments where you’ve grown tired of doing good. As much as we want to live well and do good to others, the truth is that we will all grow weary of it at some point.

In Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah says that those who hope in God will find renewed strength. The key to perseverance in difficult seasons is not simply pushing through and trying harder. Strength isn’t found in simply hoping our circumstances will change.

God’s Word says that true strength comes from placing our hope in God. Because God is all-powerful, He alone has the power to change our circumstances. But God also knows that as humans, we grow weary and restless. We often place our hope in temporary solutions when we should be relying on God, who can truly help us.

But when we place our hope in God alone, Scripture tells us we will find renewed strength to endure life’s challenges. Hoping in God means trusting in His promises—even if we don’t see them fulfilled in our lifetime.

During this season of Advent and time of reflection, how can you allow the Lord to renew your hope in God? Allow Him to search your heart. Pray that you will be filled with the strength and hope that only God can provide.

https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.40.31.ESV