"Even youths will become weak and tired, and
young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will
find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will
run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:30-31
NLT)
Although a goal-oriented type of guy, I
stopped making New Year resolutions a long time ago.
Since I set goals throughout the year, I
wondered what the point of relegating them to one day was. And then,
too, the statistics of keeping them aren't too good. Many are broken
within a short period of time. Days. Weeks.
But failing to make goals on one day doesn't
mean everything has gone well throughout the year. Weak, tired, and
exhausted are three adjectives that accurately describe most previous
years for anyone. Weak from sicknesses or diseases for which there is no
cure and that seem to go on and on. Weak and tired emotionally from
working to meet financial responsibilities when there isn't enough money
to pay the bills—or buy groceries. Tired of studying for the degree,
tired of writing papers, and tired of the late night hours. Exhausted
from having to care for loved ones who can't fend for themselves. Tired
of going to a job we'd rather not go to.
Isaiah gives hope ... and the key for a fresh
start to a new year. Trusting in the Lord probably won't make all, or
any, of the stressors disappear. Sometimes God takes them way ...
sometimes He doesn't. But trusting in Him gives us strength beyond
ourselves—fortitude we can't manufacture on our own. The new strength
comes from remembering He is in control. He has come through for us in
the past, and He will again. Perhaps not in the way we want or imagine,
but come through He will.
That trust will cause us to soar above the
trials and tribulations like an eagle that flies high above the
obstacles that would restrict her flight. God will enable us to soar
when ordinarily we would crash and burn. We will run the race of life
without being emotionally, physically, or spiritually exhausted. We will
walk through every day, with all that it brings, without falling. Even
with peace ... and a smile.
God never promised
an easy life, but He will give us hope for every year when we look to
Him.
Put your hope in God
this year, not things or people.
Martin
Wiles
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.