A Daily Devotion for Monday, March 23
- ontrakk
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Psalm 38:22
Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Today I am struck by Psalm 38 and the concept of sin. David is exhausted and filled with pain because of his own sins. He knows he has sinned, and confesses in verse 18. But the remainder of the psalm is describing his own anguish! It is interesting that he spends so much time describing his discomfort, and so little time apologizing to God. Maybe there is a message in this- God forgives, but we have to do our own healing and rebuilding of bridges. We need to make amends when we wrong someone else. Isn’t that part of what God’s forgiveness enables us to do? Until we fully spell out our wrongful behavior, ask for God’s forgiveness and go back to make amends, the sin can continue to damage us.
Lord, I know you forgive me when I sin. Help me to see when there is more work to be done to repair damage I may have caused. Sometimes it may not be enough to confess only to you. Help me to understand this more fully. Amen
Becky, transforming
Monday, March 23rd, 2026
GIVE ME STRENGTH
(Focus: those struggling with low energy
Today’s Reading Isaiah 40: 27-31
Psalm 38:22
Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
I had to read the prior verses starting at verse 17 to fully understand this was an urgent cry from King David exhausted, broken, and in severe physical and spiritual anguish—who had no other option but to trust in God. Because he has realized he cannot save himself, he confessed his sins and repented. So many times I have has to admit total dependency on God when feeling overwhelmed , by both my sinful nature and physical exhaustion, and just ready to quit. We still have to understand that God’s timing…
Isaiah 40:27-31, Psalm 38:22
There are times when I am so weary, not just physically but emotionally and sometimes spiritually. It could be said that because I’m older, I may have an excuse to become weary, but even youngsters can run out of energy, we are human. Verse 31 tells us to soar like eagles, run without quitting, walk without giving up. Those things can be enormously difficult sometimes. I am blessed that God is never retired and sustains me. It’s like I’m an iPhone on 1% power and God is the power cord, there to recharge me when I am down and weary. It is so vital to stay connected to God.
Dear God, thank you for always being…
Isaiah 40:27-31. Psalm 38:22. Give me strength
Using our hope and trust that He is near and listening, we need to turn all our needs and worries over to him each day. If we start the day this way, perhaps the energy and strength will be there when we need it. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31-- maybe because it is part of a beautiful hymn. It was originally written to console a friend upon his father's death. It has become a staple at funerals today-- but it is simply beautiful words reminding us of God's power to help us when we need him most.
Prayer: Gracious God, may I never forget how close you are and the…
Isaiah 40:27-31/Psalm 38:22
Strength for the weary, power for the weak are promises we encounter in Scripture. Translating this into confidence and action can sometimes prove difficult. The translation used in today’s reading says “hope in the Lord.” Other translations use the phrase “wait on the Lord” I do better with hoping than I do waiting. There are times my restlessness leads paradoxically to inaction. I look forward to the energizing first signs of Spring to bolster hope and soften the waiting.
Prayer - Precious Lord, You remain an ever present help in times of spiritual dryness and for this I am thankful. I pray today for renewal, perseverance and patience. Please open a path for me to be get…