Renewing Your Strength

February 12, 2021

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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 40:28-31

Typically, when a passage starts with a call from God to listen to him, he wants us to hear the extent of his love. In turn, our response is to reciprocate it; “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Love for God should be our basis for faith, so that our spiritual disciplines serve as a blessing instead of a burden.

Have you ever experienced a spiritual burnout? Have you found yourself exhausted in your pursuit of God? This is not an uncommon thing to experience; however, this verse seems to counteract the idea that spiritual burnout is possible.

Burnout occurs when faith becomes centered around obligation, not adoration. Perfectionism of faith is not maintainable, yet it is a vicious cycle that believers often fall into. How are we supposed to combat this?

The answer centers around our intention behind spiritual disciplines in our life, as well as our understanding of sanctification. To be sanctified is not to be perfect by yourself, but it is to be holy as God is holy. This may sound intimidating, but it primarily concerns the way that we point to God in our witness to others. God is delighted when we respond to his loving call to hear him and allow him to work in us and through us.

When the driving force of love compels you to draw near to God through his Word or prayer, you will not grow weary. You will be refreshed by time in the presence of God and compelled to share all that he has done for you.

Reflection:
What is your attitude toward spiritual disciplines? How have you experienced the steadfast love of God?