Youth and Old Age

Even the youths shall faint and be weary…but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength – Isaiah 40:30-31

It’s hard to imagine a two-year-old getting tired. They seem to have endless energy and they only have two speeds: fast and faster. When you try to put them to bed, they deny all the way there that they are in need of even a nap. But the moment their head hits the pillow, they fall into a deep and much-needed slumber.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary. And certainly all the rest of us have constant reminders of our limitations. Try going a day without coffee, or a night without sleep, or on a run without water. We are every one of us in need of constant refreshment, because we are not self-contained or autonomous creatures.

What is true of us all physically is even more evident spiritually. No one walks this earth in self-supplied satisfaction. Although we do not always go to the right source, we are always looking for a spring of spiritual renewal somewhere, to which we can come and deeply drink and consistently return.

Those that wait on the Lord — who look to him for refreshing or allow him to restore their souls — find that his supply is never empty, his sufficiency never runs dry. Young or old, rich or poor, sick or healthy — God is able to supply our needs, not just for a moment, but over and over throughout our lives.

They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Are you waiting on his good purpose, on his good timing, on his good supply… or are you still running in circles, denying that you are even in need of rest or refreshment? Lay your head on the pillow of God’s grace and find the deep and much-needed renewal that only he will provide.