Walk by Faith 凭信心而行

[Dexu Xia]

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31

Today's Scripture Isaiah 40:25-31

Today's Insights

Isaiah warned the unrepentant people of Judah that God would exile them to Babylon because of their covenantal unfaithfulness (Isaiah 1-39). But after disciplining them, God would bring them back to the promised land and bless them (chs. 40-66). Comforting a discouraged Judah (40:1-2), Isaiah assured them that God wouldn’t abandon them and that He had the power to bless them. He reminded them that Yahweh alone, “the Holy One” (v. 25), is their everlasting, omnipotent, sovereign “Creator” (v. 28). Speaking tenderly of God as a loving and caring shepherd, Isaiah said that God “gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (v. 11) to bring them home. The tired, weary, and weak would find new strength (vv. 28-31) as they journeyed back to the promised land with God. In our journey of faith, God will provide strength as well. We affirm with the psalmist, “Blessed are those whose hope . . . is in the Lord their God” (Psalm 146:5).

Today's Devotion

The woman walked gingerly up each step to the church’s sanctuary for that night’s prayer service. As she paused because of her pain or breathlessness, a man passing by said, “One step at a time. That’s the only way you’re going to make it. Take it easy.” His words were meant to encourage the woman and may have given her the boost she needed to reach the top. They certainly encouraged my weary soul during my visit that evening.

In our faith journey, we may feel tempted to quit when the path seems too long or difficult. Yet in these moments, we can find solace in the words the prophet Isaiah spoke to comfort the Israelites. He told them God would eventually redeem them from their decades of captivity in Babylon, and He reminded them that God wasn’t like powerless idols (Isaiah 40:18-20).  Almighty God, who created the heavens and earth, “will not grow tired or weary,” and He strengthens the weak (vv. 28-29). “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” (v. 31).

Isaiah’s words encouraged the Israelites, and we can receive strength from the same “everlasting God” (vv. 28-29) they were trusting. Let’s walk by faith day by day and one step at a time. As we continue to hope in the one true God, He will help us walk, run, and soar for His glory.

Reflect & Pray

Why is it sometimes hard to take things one step at a time? How can you rely on God’s strength each day?

Dear God, thank You for strengthening me step by step. By Nancy Gavilanes

那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。（以赛亚书 40:31）

 今日经文：以赛亚书 40章25-31 节

今日洞见： 以赛亚曾警告犹大那些不肯悔改的百姓，因他们背弃了与神所立的约，他们必将掳往巴比伦（以赛亚书 1-39章）。然而，在管教之后，神必领他们归回应许之地并赐福给他们（40-66章）。以赛亚安慰灰心的犹大人（40:1-2），向他们保证神绝不会弃绝他们，却有能力赐福给他们。他提醒他们，唯有耶和华，那位“圣者”（25节），是他们永恒、全能且掌管万有的“创造主”（28节）。以赛亚温柔地将神描述为一位慈爱关怀的牧者，说神“将羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的”（11节），以此将他们带回家。当疲惫、困倦和软弱的人与神一同踏上归回应许之地的旅程时，他们必从新得力（28-31节）。在我们信心的旅程中，神也会赐下力量。我们与诗人一同宣告：“仰望上帝，以雅各的神为帮助的，这人便为有福！”（诗篇 146:5）

 今日灵修： 那位妇人小心翼翼地迈着台阶，走向教堂礼拜堂参加当晚的祷告会。当她因疼痛或气促而停下脚步时，一位路过的男子对她说：“一步一步来。这是你走上去的唯一办法。慢慢来，别急。”这番话旨在鼓励那位妇人，或许也给了她登上顶峰所需的动力。那天晚上，当我在场时，这番话也同样鼓舞了我疲惫的心灵。

  在我们信心的旅程中，当道路显得漫长或艰难时，我们可能会想要放弃。然而在这些时刻，我们可以从先知以赛亚安慰以色列人的话语中找到慰藉。他告诉以色列人，神终必将他们从巴比伦长达数十年的被掳生活中救赎出来；他也提醒他们，神绝非那些无能的偶像可比（以赛亚书 40:18-20）。那位创造天地的全能神“并不疲乏，也不困倦”，祂更赐力量给软弱的人（28-29节）。“但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏”（31节）。 以赛亚的话语曾激励了以色列人；如今，我们也能从他们所信靠的那位“永在的神”（28-29节）那里得着力量。让我们凭信心生活，一步一个脚印地前行。只要我们持续仰望那位独一真神，祂必帮助我们行走、奔跑并展翅上腾，以彰显祂的荣耀。

  反思与祷告 为何有时我们难以做到“一步一步来”？你该如何每天倚靠神的力量？ 亲爱的神，感谢祢在我行走的每一步加添我力量。

作者：南希·加维拉内斯