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Hope in the Lord

             but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

          People love this verse. It seems to promise an unending, superhuman supply of strength and endurance. Problem 1: It doesn’t say what we think it does. It does not say God will renew their strength it says that those who hope or wait (the old word) will renew their strength. They’ll get a good night’s sleep, eat and drink healthy foods, build their lives, build their families, study, exercise, learn new skills, seek wisdom, etc. They will renew their strength

Problem 2: Hoping or waiting. This means accepting that now isn’t the right time, and trusting that God will make sure you don’t “miss the exit.” It may mean 430 years in captivity, or 25 years for the child to be born, or whatever – but God will accomplish what He’s promised. In other words, it’s not the feeling of hope that renews our strength. It’s not sitting around. It’s making good use of the time in the expectation that God will bring about what He’s promised. The positive expectation will result in renewed strength.

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