Soaring Above the Storm

Bible Reading:   Isaiah 40:25-31

Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.   Isaiah 40:31

Terry just got a D on his report card. Carlos was cut from the team. Shannon was back-stabbed by a friend. Situations like these can be heartbreaking. And for some the pain goes even deeper—like Melinda, whose mom and dad are going through a divorce. Or Suzanne, whose best friend was killed last month in a car accident. Or Corey, who was just diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Have you ever noticed that no one escapes hard times? Some of those times are life-and-death situations. Others are just frustrations or setbacks. But without exception, they all cause agonizing pain. They make us feel like our world is caving in. And at times like these there is nothing we need more than an eye-popping look at who God is. Think about this wonderful description in Isaiah 40:

• God is all-powerful. He created all of the universe—from the intricate design of the tiniest cell to the massive grandeur of the vast heavens. Nothing is too big or too difficult for him. Nothing is too tiny for his attention.

• God is entirely loving. Since God created all the stars and calls each burning ball of gas by name, how do you think God feels about you, his child created in his image? Jesus answered that question: “Look at the birds,” he said. “They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are” (Matthew 6:26). God loves you more than you can even imagine.

• God gives strength to the weak. You might feel bogged down and beat up by difficult circumstances in your life. But you can put your trust in the Lord and not give up. He sees your needs and will give you strength to keep going—even to run, take flight, and soar high above the pressures of life.

Ponder what it means that God is bothall-powerful and all-loving. If he were mighty but didn’t love, we would spend our life fearing his anger and judgment. If he were loving but weak, he couldn’t help us through our trials. The God we serve is both strong and kind, and that’s why we can trust in him!

TALK: What stormy situation have you faced in your life lately? Has God promised to give you strength to go through it?

PRAY: We praise you, God, because you love us enough to help us through our difficulties. And you are powerful enough to do it.

ACT: Build your trust in God today by memorizing Isaiah 40:31. And share that encouraging word with a friend.