Daily Devotion - February 24, 2023

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 tire, They will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:30-31, NASB)

This verse has never meant more to me than when ministering to a young man made an invalid by reckless driving. 

Though raised a Christian, his life was wild and his heart hard to God. So, I expected his affliction would further harden him, and I dreaded speaking to him after he awoke from weeks in a coma. 

For a while he fought his predicament with the rash pride that had gotten him into his trouble. He uttered vain predictions of “beating this thing” that would permanently confine him to a wheelchair. But, when arrogance did not get him on his feet or drive away those who loved him, his heart opened to God. 

The young man who had stumbled so badly became a witness of the persevering love and eternal promises of God. His faith brought him joy that a wheelchair could not restrain. His witness to the promises of Christ soared above his afflictions and brought others to understanding of the gospel. 

 Though he had stumbled badly in body and spirit, the Lord lifted his soul and revived his spirit for God’s purposes that will be fulfilled in heaven with a perfected body and the presence of others touched by his life. 

Prayer: Lord, when I or those I love stumble badly, remind me not to give up on your grace that can lift us up to soar on the eagle’s wings of your heavenly purposes.