New Strength

“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

At the time Isaiah 40 was written, God had allowed Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, to be taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Undoubtedly, the question on the hearts of the people was did they have a future? Had they gone too far? Would their failure cause God to abandon them? Perhaps you have wondered the same.

I think about Peter who denied Christ three times in a matter of minutes. After the rooster crowed the second time, I wonder if Peter thought about the words of Jesus in Matthew, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven (Mt. 10:33).” Did Peter think there was no hope for him as well?

Through the prophet Isaiah, God spoke these words of hope to the people of Judah, “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. (Is.40:1-2)” God restored the people of Judah. We also know that Peter was graciously restored.

When we realize how desperately we have failed God, our strength, too, can disappear. When we understand, as Isaiah puts it, that we are like grass that withers beneath the breath of the Lord, we can become weak and weary. But even when we are at our lowest like Peter was when he denied Christ, God is strong. He never grows weak or weary.

When we trust in Him we will find new strength. Judah found new strength and was eventually delivered from their captivity. Peter found new strength and went on to become a New Testament author, evangelist, and powerful witness for Christ.

You may fail. But failures don’t define you. Trust in the Lord. In Him, you will run and not grow weary. In Him, you will walk and not faint. In Him, you will find new strength.