Anthony Lucarini, Student Pastor

“But 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.”

Isaiah 40:31, NIV

Recently, as my wife and I were preparing our girls for bed, Esther wanted to bring her stuffed animals to bed. Being two years old, she could not just choose one, and in this case, she had her arms full of five stuffed animals. With her arms extended as far as possible and her sight impaired, she was struggling to try to walk up the stairs. Seeing this, I said, “Esther, would you like me to carry your stuffed animals for you?” She stubbornly replied, “No!” and continued to inch up the stairs slowly and to no avail. Again, I said, “Esther, I’ll hold your animals so you can walk.” Something clicked, and she allowed me to carry her toys. In doing so, with a smile on her face, she quickly scurried up the stairs in a way that only a toddler could.

While in Babylonian captivity, God’s people questioned Him. Did God see them? Did He notice their plight? Did He care about their struggle? In the midst of this adversity, some fell into idolatry, others placed their hope in their own hands, yet a remnant of God’s people remained faithful. To those whose hope remained, God would uphold them, strengthen them, and deliver them. In the same way that my daughter Esther was limited in her own strength, she was liberated in a strength greater than her own, in that of her father’s.

In this season, we can find comfort, strength, and hope as we look to the One who is more than able to provide. In our advent, our waiting, we may be strengthened in the assurance that God is good to His word and His promises are true. May we rest and reflect in this truth as we prepare to celebrate the promise that is the coming Messiah, Jesus.