Hope is an amazingly powerful thing. It enables us to continue confidently moving forward, even when we face difficulties, weariness or fatigue. But natural human hope will only take us so far. Biblical hope goes far beyond human hope. And it is always founded on Almighty God – the eternal One who is all-knowing and all-powerful.
The most amazing thing is that hope founded on God has a totally different quality than human hope. It has the quality of heaven. Therefore, biblical hope anchors us in a way that nothing else will.
Isaiah chapter 40 provides us with very practical steps we can take in order to gain biblical hope, particularly when we become weary and fatigue begins to set in. These steps point in only one direction – back to God, the foundation and secure source of hope.
1. Remember who God is
God Himself is the One who asks:
“To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Isaiah 40:25 (NIV)
When we are weary it can be helpful to step aside and take some intentional time to remember who God is. He is the Almighty and eternal One. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He cannot be boxed in by our expectations or circumstances. He is the Creator and absolute Ruler of the whole universe. He cannot be compared to anyone or anything. He has no equal.
2. Look at creation
When difficulties and fatigue begin to overwhelm us, creation can remind us of the magnificence of our God. So one practical way to bring our attention back to God is to physically go and walk outside. Look at the trees, the flowers, the grass – and marvel at the intricacies and beauty of what God has created. Or as Isaiah suggests, go outside at night and simply look up. Realise that God created absolutely everything you see, to the smallest atom. How great is His power, and how mighty is His strength!
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)
3. Consider His greatness
But simply looking at creation may not be enough. Isaiah next prompts us to invest time thinking about the greatness of God. To consider how marvelous God is, to have created all these incredible things. But realise that this might require an intentional mental shift away from your own limited way of thinking and into God’s limitless realm. Be prepared to question your own natural assumptions. Make the mental shift and begin to see from God’s perspective. It will move you into a whole different way of thinking.
Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:27-28 (NIV)
4. Hope in Him
It’s as we transfer our focus onto God’s greatness that we realise that He never grows tired or weary. We begin to grasp hold of His power and glory. As we begin to put our confidence in the greatness of our God, we also begin to grasp His unwavering willingness to extend His incredible strength and power to us. We find our limited strength is renewed by His limitlessness. We can run, walk and even soar!
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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 40:29-31 (NIV)
Restored and renewed
Since December last year I have been putting aside intentional time with God. Most mornings I have watched the stars begin to disappear as the sky lightens and the sun rises. I’ve marveled at God’s creation and talked to Him about whatever is on my mind. In the process I’ve been restored and transformed. God has renewed and strengthened me in so many ways. My capacity has grown and my confidence and hope has increased. I’ve soared on eagles wings to new heights in God.
I have no agenda for my mornings with God. I don’t read my Bible or do a devotional. I just spend time focused on Him, worshipping Him and talking to Him. My agenda is Him! Intentional time spent with God is never wasted.
So if you need renewed hope today, take some intentional time with Him. He is the source and foundation for all that you need.
