[The Lord Keeps You Safe Series] God Hears Your CriesSample

The Lord Will Renew Your Strength

I remember that when I suffered from PTSD, I used to wake up exhausted. The little I managed to sleep was never enough and, after a couple of weeks, it got harder every day. At that time, all these sensations were overwhelming. I felt trapped by all the emotions and feelings that haunted my mind. I could say that I had a crisis of faith. 

Something similar happened to the people of Judah around the year 550-540 BC. They were taken as captives to Babylon—they were exiles. They felt hopeless, without a future. In this crisis of faith, God spoke to them through the prophet Isaiah. 

First of all, the people of God were encouraged to concentrate on God. The prophet mentions God’s attributes and calls us to think about why God is God. He is omnipotent—he has the power to create from nothing. God is eternal, and his nature is incomparable. God is so wise that his wisdom cannot be measured. He never gets weary or tired. This is our God. Find comfort in who he is and what he has done for you. 

Secondly, those who know him are called to put their trust in him—to renew their faith as they wait for the promised liberation from captivity. God will not forsake his creation. God will never forsake you; this is his promise to us his children. Why? Because he is not like us. That is the reason why the prophet Isaiah encourages us to think about God. He does so to establish this contrast between God and men. Humans are frail and transitory, but God is omnipotent and eternal.

As a consequence, wait with confident expectation. God will fulfill his promise. He promised to give you strength, and he will do so. Waiting requires patience, but it is never indifferent or passive. Focus your mind and thoughts on the beautiful verses that you are about to read today, and picture yourself running and walking without getting tired. Trust in God, trust in his power, trust in his promises. He will never let you down.

One day, you will look back and remember this very moment in which you decided to find new strength in God. You will not be disappointed; God will give you strength.