He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. –Isaiah 40:29-31

These verses were originally written by the prophet Isaiah as encouragement to the Israelites while they were in exile in Babylon. They were experiencing oppression, life was difficult, and hope was apparently in short supply. So, Isaiah assured Israel that if they will wait on the LORD (that is, if they will put their hope in Him), then the God who gives power to the weak will bring renewal, restore the strength of his people, and ultimately free them from exile.

We all experience times when life is difficult and hope is in short supply. Have you experienced those times when life is hard, and you just don’t see that changing? Maybe you’re there right now. If that’s where you find yourself today, know this, God still gives power to the faint. He still increases the strength of those with no might. He still brings restoration and renewal to the weary if they will hope in him.

So, what are you hoping in? Sometimes we put our hope in things like money or other people, thinking they’ll change our situation. But the only one who can truly bring restoration and renew our strength when we’re weary is God. Put your hope in him!