hope

May 31

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Faith doesn’t make life easier, but God’s promised strength makes it possible.

Lagree fitness is one of the hardest workout styles in the fitness industry. Due to its method, the machine is designed to help work multiple muscle groups at once through various slow and controlled movement. Even if you work out every day—it’s challenging. And yet, regardless of how weak or unprepared you feel, the machine below is helping and holding you up the entire time. It doesn’t make it easier, but it makes it possible.

Is this not like our God? We may study and know His word, perhaps our prayer life is growing, we notice old habits falling away, and yet, every time we step out into our day we somehow find ourselves facing one obstacle after another.

Life is hard, for everyone. But the Father is holding us up with his righteous hand (Ps 63:8). He is an ever present help in trouble whose grace is sufficient to carry us through. The results might be micro, but they are there. Your pace might be slower, but you’re still moving. It may not get easier, but believe me friend, you are growing stronger and wiser when you choose to rely on the Lord.

Jesus told us that apart from him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). He is the vine from which our fruit bears. He is the root that enables us to flourish. His is the strength that empowers us for another day.

As imperfect people living in an imperfect world, we are bound to feel hopeless at times, however, be encouraged to try and discern what is pleasing to the Lord (Ep 5:10). God sees you trying. He knows your heart. He notes every moment you desire to obey him. And when we get it wrong, we have an advocate to push us further down the righteous path (1 Jn 2:1-2).