The snow is falling outside, and I’m snuggled inside luxuriating in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. As I’ve been leisurely reading through this amazing book of God’s Word, I’ve been writing down the various promises written by Isaiah. It’s been rejuvenating and refreshing to focus my attention on the promises the prophet writes. The Holy Spirit has used these promises to encourage and lift up my heart.
I’m guessing that after the craziness of the holidays, you need renewal as well. I’ve chosen three promises for you to focus on this week. Here’s what I suggest:
- Read the promises out loud over yourself every morning.
- Memorize at least one of the promises.
- Pray the promises back to God.
- Praise and thank Him for the promises.
In these ways, you’ll be able to internalize these promises. As a result, I believe you’re going to feel hope and renewal rise in your heart.
Promise 1: The promise of renewed strength.
Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint, nor is He weary? His understanding is inscrutable. He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint (Isa. 40:28-31, emphasis added).
I cannot tell you how many times I have felt too weak to do the very thing God has called me to do. Yet when I’ve taken the next step in obedience, trusting God to provide His strength as I move, He has empowered me to do things I always thought impossible. If He calls you, He provides the strength. Interestingly enough, He never promises to work through strong people. He chooses to work through those who are weak.
Promise 2: The promise of His almighty presence.
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, “You are My servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.” Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isa. 41:9-10, emphasis added).
As I have lived in many different places and even a different country for a while, God’s presence has always been there. Change can feel scary to people. There are a lot of unknowns during seasons of change, but there is one known you can count on—God’s presence goes with you!
Promise 3: The promise of the Holy Spirit bringing fruit, even when life feels barren.
“I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water” (Isa. 41:18, emphasis added).
Looking back on my life, it has often been in the barren seasons, the seasons of great trial and testing, when God has produced the most fruit. Don’t despise the desert, friend. There, God gives supernatural springs of living water and brings forth fruit you never even dreamed of.
Friend, if you’re needing renewal, know that I am praying for you. Focus your attention this week on these promises and let God’s Word saturate your dry soul. {eoa}
Becky Harling, an author, certified speaker, leadership coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, is an energetic and motivational international speaker inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest life challenges and reach their full God-given potential. Her most recent book is How to Listen So People Will Talk. Her husband, Steve Harling, is the president of Reach Beyond, a nonprofit organization seeking to be the voice and hands of Jesus around the world.
This article originally appeared at beckyharling.com.
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