Text: Isaiah 40:28-31 (ERV) 28 Surely you know the truth.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever!
He created all the faraway places on earth.
He does not get tired and weary.
You cannot learn all he knows.
29 He helps tired people be strong.
He gives power to those without it.
30 Young men get tired and need to rest.
Even young boys stumble and fall.
31 But those who trust in the Lordwill become strong again.
They will be like eagles that grow new feathers.[a]
They will run and not get weak.
They will walk and not get tired.
Introduction
Airplanes on long missions sometimes require mid-flight refueling—you know, it’s like a coffee break for the sky! They get a tasty top-up of fuel while still soaring through the clouds, ensuring they don’t run out of gas and plummet earthward like a particularly clumsy bird. Without it, they’d be on a one-way ticket to a rather dramatic crash landing, rather than reaching their destination in style!
As Christians, we are also on a long journey of faith, and there are times when we feel exhausted, discouraged, or overwhelmed. How can we keep going when we feel like we have nothing left?
Isaiah 40:28-31 provides a powerful picture of spiritual refueling—finding renewed strength in God to continue our mission.
I. Recognizing Our Need for Refueling
Isa.40:28 Surely you know the truth.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever!
He created all the faraway places on earth.
He does not get tired and weary.
You cannot learn all he knows.
29 He helps tired people be strong.
He gives power to those without it.
Exegesis & Explanation:
- Isaiah begins by reminding us who God is: “The Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow tired or weary.”
- In contrast, we as humans do get weary and weak, but God gives power to the weak and strength to the weary (v. 29). In our daily lives, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by challenges and burdens that diminish our strength. Yet, it is in these moments of fatigue and vulnerability that we may turn to the divine source of strength, recognizing that we are not alone in our struggles. We can trust that God will renew our strength, providing us with the resilience we need to persevere and overcome adversity.
- Even the strongest among us, despite their resilience and determination, eventually run out of energy and need refueling, reminding us that self-care and rejuvenation are crucial for maintaining our well-being and effectiveness in our endeavors.
Application:
- Many Christians try to push through life on their own strength—relying on past victories, personal discipline, or sheer willpower, often believing that they can handle challenges independently without seeking guidance or support from their faith community or God.
- We need to acknowledge that we cannot sustain ourselves spiritually; we need God’s strength daily to navigate the challenges of life, to find peace amid chaos, and to cultivate a deeper connection with our purpose and faith.
“Trying to do God’s work in your own strength is like trying to drive a car without fuel.” —D.L. Moody
II. The Danger of Running on Empty
Isaiah 40:30 (NLT) Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
Exegesis & Explanation:
- Even the strongest (“youths” and “young men”) will stumble and fall if they try to rely solely on their own power and strength.
- The word “stumble” (Hebrew: kāshal) means to collapse, be overwhelmed, or fall into failure.
- Many people burn out spiritually, emotionally, and even physically because they don’t take time to refuel in God’s presence, neglecting the vital connection with the divine that brings peace, strength, and rejuvenation to their weary souls.
Application:
- Signs of running on empty:
- Loss of joy in serving
- Growing frustration and discouragement
- Feeling distant from God
- Making decisions based on exhaustion rather than faith
- We must learn to refuel before we reach a crisis point in our lives, recognizing the signs of burnout and proactively taking steps to replenish our energy and mental well-being, such as engaging in regular self-care practices, setting boundaries, and seeking support from friends, family, or professionals who can help guide us through challenging times.
- This involves not only understanding our personal limits and acknowledging when we feel overwhelmed but also actively seeking out restorative practices that rejuvenate our spirits. By integrating regular self-care routines into our lives, whether through mindfulness, physical exercise, or simply taking time for relaxation, we can foster a more resilient mindset that better equips us to handle life’s challenges.
Illustration:
Think about a plane up in the sky, totally ignoring those low fuel warnings. If it doesn't stop to refuel, it’s just a matter of time before it crashes down. A lot of Christians operate the same way—just brushing off the need to recharge spiritually until life throws a crisis their way and everything gets too heavy to handle. Just like a plane needs regular check-ups and refueling to stay safe in the air, people need to take time to nurture their faith, pray, and get involved in community worship. If they don’t, it can mess up their spiritual health and impact everyone around them, making it clear how crucial it is to stay proactive about their spiritual journey to keep from hitting rock bottom.
III. The Secret to Mid-Flight Refueling: Waiting on the Lord
Isaiah 40:31 (ERV) But those who trust in the Lordwill become strong again.
They will be like eagles that grow new feathers.
They will run and not get weak.
They will walk and not get tired.
Exegesis & Explanation:
- The key to renewed strength is “waiting on the Lord.” This waiting period allows us to reflect, recharge our spirits, and deepen our faith, ultimately leading to a greater resilience in times of challenge and uncertainty.
- The Hebrew word for “wait” (qavah) means to hope, trust, and remain in expectation of God’s help.
- When we wait on God, He gives us:
- New strength – We are not just recharged; we are renewed with His strength, enabling us to face challenges and embrace opportunities with a fresh perspective, drawing power from a source greater than ourselves.
- The ability to soar – Like eagles, we rise above circumstances, mastering the skies and navigating through life’s challenges with grace and determination.
- Endurance to run and not grow weary – We gain stamina for the long journey, allowing us to push through challenges and obstacles that may arise along the way, ultimately helping us to achieve our goals with persistence and resilience.
- Steady strength to walk without fainting – Even in daily struggles, we are sustained through a continuous flow of resilience and support, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges without losing our balance or courage.
Application:
- We need to create margin in our daily life so that we can have time to wait on the Lord, reflecting on His presence and guidance, allowing ourselves to be rejuvenated in spirit and drawn closer to His will. This requires intentional planning and prioritization, carving out moments throughout the day where we can pause, breathe, and connect with God, freeing ourselves from distractions and the busyness of life, so we can truly listen and respond to His call in our lives.
- Ways to “refuel” in the Lord:
- Prayer – Spending intentional time with God refuels our spirit, allowing us to find peace and clarity in our thoughts and actions while strengthening our connection to our faith and guiding us through life’s challenges.
- The Word of God – Scripture is our source of truth and strength, providing guidance in times of trouble and hope in moments of despair, reaffirming our faith and helping us navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.
- Worship – True worship shifts our focus from our struggles to God’s greatness, reminding us that in the midst of our trials and tribulations, we can find solace and strength in His boundless love and infinite wisdom.
- Community – Surrounding ourselves with believers who share our values and vision helps keep us encouraged, motivated, and uplifted on our journey towards growth and fulfillment.
“God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute.” — Oswald Chambers
Conclusion: Keep Flying with God’s Strength
- Just like an aircraft needs mid-flight refueling to complete its mission, we need spiritual refueling to stay strong in our faith.
- If we try to rely on our own strength, we will burn out. But if we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength.
- Challenge: Are you running on empty today? Take time to refuel in God’s presence.
Final Encouragement:
- Don’t give up! God is always ready to fill you with fresh strength for the journey ahead, no matter how challenging or daunting it may seem at times. Trust in His plan for you and embrace the support that surrounds you in both difficult and joyous moments.
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
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