Devotional -

Strength to Run ( 16 October )

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He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers. . . . Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

Isaiah 40:11, 28-31

I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love. He said, "They are my very own people. Surely they will not be false again." And he became their Savior. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

Isaiah 63:7-9

I was coming back home after the meeting and I had my infant daughter and my three year old son with me. My daughter was in the stroller and my son wanted to ride on my shoulders.

I started to run a bit and my son asked me to keep on running, saying, "Abba, I have strength to run." I asked him if he meant that he could run on his own if I took him down from my shoulders. He said, "No, Abba." So on the downhill part of our street I ran again, and he said to me proudly, "Abba, you see! I have strength to run!"

Of course I thought this was very cute, but I also realized that there was an important spiritual lesson in his words and in the way he related to his father. Whenwe have no strength ourselves,we can rest on the shoulders of the Lord, and we too can always say "I have strength to run."

"I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." (Philippians 4:12-13)

- 16 OCTOBER -