Strength for the Journey

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“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”— Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

I remember that in 2020, while ministering in Youngstown, Ohio, for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, my team was contacted by the Vice President of Church Ministry and told to pack up immediately because the tour was being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in America. So my team and I packed up and returned home, not knowing what to expect for our nation or our ministry. But we prayed before leaving, asking God for “Strength for the Journey.” Soon, our nation was ordered to shelter in place, and our ministry was assigned to the twenty-four-hour prayer line. Places of worship, schools, and anything the government classified as nonessential were closed. As we took calls on the prayer line, we heard from people who had grown weary, discouraged, and emotionally drained. COVID-19 brought to light things many people were not aware of. Many believers today are still shut in, carrying burdens that few people know about—family struggles, ministry pressures, financial concerns, disappointments, and spiritual battles. There are moments when the road feels long, and the strength to continue seems small.

Yet God never intended for His people to walk this journey in their own strength.

Isaiah reminds us that strength is renewed not by striving harder, but by waiting upon the Lord. Waiting is not passive resignation; it is active dependence. It is choosing to trust God when we cannot yet see the outcome.

The world says, “Push harder.” God says, “Draw closer.”

The journey may be difficult, but God promises fresh strength for those who remain connected to Him.

1. God Gives Strength to the Weary

Even strong believers experience exhaustion. Elijah became weary. David grew discouraged. Paul spoke openly about hardships and pressures.

Weariness does not mean you have failed—it means you are human.

The beautiful promise of Isaiah 40 is that God specializes in strengthening tired people. When your strength runs low, His strength remains unlimited.

God does not shame weary believers. He refreshes them.

Sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply continuing to trust God one more day.

2. Waiting on God Produces Renewed Strength

Our culture values speed (Speedo swimwear, the Microwave, you get the point), instant answers, and immediate results. But spiritual strength is often developed in seasons of waiting.

Waiting teaches:

• Dependence instead of self-reliance
• Patience instead of panic
• Trust instead of fear

Some of God’s greatest work happens in hidden seasons where we learn to lean fully upon Him.

The eagle does not panic during the storm—it rises above it.

Likewise, believers who wait on the Lord discover that God can lift them above circumstances that once overwhelmed them.

3. God Will Carry You Through the Journey

Isaiah says believers will “walk and not faint.”

Notice God does not promise the absence of difficult roads. He promises sustaining grace for the road ahead.

Some seasons require running. Other seasons require simply walking faithfully day by day. One day at a time.

But whether you are running or barely walking, God promises to sustain you.

You may feel tired today, but you are not abandoned. Hebrews 13:5-6

You may feel weak, but God is still working. 2 Corinthians 12:9

You may feel overwhelmed, but Heaven has not lost sight of you. Psalms 32:8

The same God who brought you this far will faithfully carry you forward.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being our strength when we are weary. Forgive us for the times we have tried to carry burdens in our own power. Teach us to wait upon You with faith and confidence. Renew tired hearts, strengthen discouraged believers, and remind us that Your grace is sufficient for every season of life. Help us to keep walking faithfully, knowing that You are guiding every step of the journey. Fill us afresh with courage, peace, and endurance through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conclusion

The journey may sometimes feel long, but you do not walk it alone. God sees every burden, every battle, and every weary moment.

Wait upon Him. Trust His timing. Lean on His strength. He will renew you for the journey ahead.

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