Hope

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31) 

Every human being has times of discouragement, times when we “faint and grow weary . . . stagger and fall” (Isaiah 40:30). It’s easy to identify with Jacob when he says, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God” (40:27). It’s in times like these that we are most vulnerable to the lies and half-truths of the devil. And so the prophet in today’s first reading gives us ammunition against such attacks.

Sometimes our situation seems so hopeless that we are convinced there is nothing God can do for us. But Isaiah reminds us to lift our eyes to the power that God displays as he holds the whole universe together. Nothing is impossible for God!

Sometimes we feel as if God doesn’t know what’s happening to us. Here, Isaiah reminds us. “His knowledge is beyond scrutiny” (Isaiah 40:28). Not even the smallest detail escapes his notice.

It’s tempting to think that God has more important things to worry about than our little lives. But again Isaiah corrects us: “He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound” (Isaiah 40:29). This promise also puts an end to the lie that God doesn’t care about our struggles or trials.

We may think that we don’t deserve God’s help and that we may even bear part of the blame for how things have gotten so bad. But don’t get mired in guilt. God’s mercy is always available, even when we don’t deserve it. That’s the definition of mercy after all! Yes, “he pardons all your iniquities” (Psalm 103:3).

When thoughts like these arise, don’t just wish things were better. Christian hope is an active virtue. It urges you to bring your need to the Lord and leave your problem in his capable hands. Then you can expand your heart by praising him for his power, his knowledge, his wisdom, and his unconditional love. Finally, see if there is a step you can take that will help build God’s kingdom—some act of service you can do. Isaiah promises that if you do, you’ll find your own strength invigorated. 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)”

from wau.org