STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY The following is an excerpt from a March 2, 2022, chapel presentation by Chip Bernhard. Listen to his full message at cedarville.edu/BernhardMar22. Isaiah 40:28–31 talks about renewable energy, perpetual strength that's available. And it's possible for us to tap into His strength without diminishing a kilowatt of His incredible power. Isaiah Chapter 40 was written to comfort the Jewish people as they were refugees in Babylon. They are trapped, wondering if they have a future. They've been slaves for 70 long years. They needed to know that there was some unlimited supply of energy available to them. They needed strength, hope, motivation. They were weary and disheartened. Many of us have read these passages in moments of loneliness and despair, wondering if God really cares. In this poem is a series of majestic images portrayed about a God who comes to us in our time of need. The nation of Israel didn't feel like He cared. They were living on their feelings, and feelings over the long haul wear down. God answers that He is able to keep track of a billion galaxies. And if you don't think that kind of God is able to strengthen you during your time of need, then you haven't come to grips with who God really is. This text all comes down to one word. It's the Hebrew word qavah. It may be translated, “those who hope in the Lord.” But it can also be translated, “those who wait on the Lord.” Would you agree that there is a little bit of difference? The Hebrew word qavah is difficult to define. First, qavah carries the idea of waiting. But this is an active, eager waiting. The second meaning is to braid or to bind together, to weave tightly. I've described this meaning as to lean into God. You're drawing close to Him. This is about spending time alone with Him. It's weaving your life together with His. His picture of strength is a soaring eagle. Stretch out the wings of your faith, catch the updrafts of your circumstance, and lean into the promise of God. Secondly, there's the picture of this unstoppable runner: “They will run and not grow weary.” This power-giving presence of God is eagerly available to help us in our race of life, to renew our lives, and to keep us going. The third picture is a hiker on a long journey: “They will walk and not faint.” When you feel like you want to quit in the Christian walk, He gives us the strength and the perseverance because the journey is long. You may be feeling overwhelmed academically. You may be disappointed by your own poor choices. Don't you give up. You keep going. Don't you stop. You qavah in the Lord. You wait on Him. You lean into Him. You hope in Him. You look to God eagerly, expectant ly. He wi l l renew your strength and help you to the finish line. Chip Bernhard is Lead Pastor at Spring Creek Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and a member of the Cedarville University Board of Trustees. You wait on Him. You lean into Him. You hope in Him. 26 | Cedarville Magazine CHAPEL NOTES
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