Day 6: New Strength for the Weary
Bible passage: Isaiah 40:27–31; Romans 7:18–25
When the Battery Runs Low
Today is Wednesday 6th of January 2021. Welcome to Day 6 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. The first week is nearly over, and you may be feeling it. You may be hungry, tired or wondering how you will keep going for another fortnight.
Isaiah was speaking to people who felt the same. They were worn out, far from home, and saying that God could not see their troubles (Isaiah 40:27). His answer begins with a question. Have you never heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth, and He never grows weak or weary (Isaiah 40:28).
The God Who Never Tires
He Does Not Run Down
Everything God has made runs down in the end. Isaiah says that even young people become weak and tired, and that those in their prime fall over in exhaustion (Isaiah 40:30). God is different. He is not drained by what He gives away.
He Gives What He Has
The next line is good news for tired people. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29). The only qualification is that we need it.
Those Who Trust in Him
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Other translations say “those who wait on the Lord”. Waiting on God is not doing nothing. It is staying connected to Him until His strength becomes ours.
Isaiah says such people will soar like eagles, run without growing weary and walk without fainting. Notice the order: soar, run, walk. Often the greatest miracle is the grace to keep walking.
Our Strength or His?
The War Within
In Romans 7, Paul describes a struggle that every Christian knows. He wants to do what is right, but he finds that he cannot. He does not want to do what is wrong, but he does it anyway (Romans 7:18–20). Willpower runs out.
His answer is not to try harder. It is a Person. Thank God, he says, the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25).
God has promised to put His laws in our hearts and to write them on our minds (Hebrews 10:16). The Holy Spirit who lives in us gives us both the desire and the power to do what pleases God. Our part is to yield to Him.
Three Steps for Today
Admit that you are tired. Tell God where you are running low, whether in body, in your emotions or in your spirit.
Stop striving. Name one area where you have been fighting in your own strength, and hand it over to the Holy Spirit.
Wait. Spend ten unhurried minutes in silence before God today. Bring no list. Simply be with Him.
Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, and above all with love (Colossians 3:12–14). That is what a recharged life looks like. It is not frantic. It is clothed with the character of Christ.
Prayer for Today:
Everlasting God, thank You that You never grow tired or weary. I admit that I am tired, and that I have been trying to live for You in my own strength. Forgive my stubbornness. I yield to Your Holy Spirit today. Give power where I am weak, renew my strength as I wait on You and help me to keep walking. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
Let us pray with you: send a prayer request.
Join one of our prayer meetings.
