He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

                                                                                                                                Isaiah 40:29-31

This week we are praying for spiritual strength. Today we see the magnificent promise of gaining new strength. The passage begins with a reminder that God gives strength to those who need it most…the weary. This weariness comes as no surprise to God because He created us and is thoroughly acquainted with our condition. He knows our frame and He is mindful that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). No one escapes the human condition and everyone is eventually in need of gaining new strength. And that is exactly what God does…He gives strength to the weary. The word strength is vigor. Vigor can be defined as being energetic and living with intensity. And to those who are in lack of might (strength), He increases power. The word power is staunchness. Staunchness is the ability to be steadfast in your faith and resolve to follow God in your life. But there is some criteria placed on receiving new strength. It is reserved for those who wait for the Lord. Waiting for the Lord literally means being expectant of Him. It is to have expectations that your prayers will be answered…that waiting for God will yield new strength in your life. Have you ever been involved in a physically demanding activity in which you began to feel tired? Then, seemingly out of nowhere, your body adjusts to the situation and you get your second wind. To gain a second wind literally means to obtain energy for a renewed effort to continue an undertaking. As a believer, you can pray for this spiritual “second wind” at any time, but you must be expectant of the answer…waiting for the Lord. Then you mount up with wings like eagles…then you will run and not get tired…then you will walk and not become weary. You will have the supernatural energy to continue in the life that God has called you to live. Oh, and one last thing…don’t be surprised if your new strength is greater than the energy you previously walked in…God has a way of doing that!