January 17 – Flying, Running, Walking, Falling

“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 40:31 (NLT)
“Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”  Psalm 37:24 (NLT)

Does this sound too good to be true? We know, of course that the verses chosen for today are speaking of spiritual strength and relief from spiritual weariness, but God also will provide our physical bodies with strength when we need it and ask for it. We have a promise of God’s watchful care over us in both of our verses today.  The prophet Isaiah and the psalmist David tell us what result we can expect if we trust in the Lord. Waiting for God to lead us and knowing that He holds our hand, so to speak.  Even when we stumble and fall, He protects us from destruction.  Our God does not grow tired or weary; He gives strength to us when we are weary; His steady hand keeps us from deadly falls. Our great almighty God has a way of passing on to His trusting children relief from weariness and protection from destruction. Are you tempted to give into the weariness of living for the Lord and of facing trials? Hope in the Lord! He WILL renew your strength and He WILL keep you on your feet.

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May 6 – Casting Burdens

“The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14 (NIV)

After reading today's verse, what kind of picture does the verse draw for you? How are you visualizing these whom the Lord promises to uphold?  The picture we might see is of a person walking along carry heavy burdens. The loads are so heavy that they are unable to walk erect. They are bowed down under the load that is nearly too much and sometimes they stumble and fall along the way.  If that is a good picture, and in the experience of many of us we would affirm that it is, then this is a promise that God knows. He knows each one who is heavy laden and are carrying burdens in life. God is there to strengthen and to lift up. Anyone who is carrying burdens needs to remember that God knows and He is ready and present to help. There are no burdens too heavy for God and he is never too busy to help. Let's turn our concerns over to him and as it says elsewhere, let’s cast those burdens onto our Lord and Savior. Then we can stand up straight and walk trusting Him.