When I first started a Bible discussion at the local long-term care centre, they used a course specifically designed for seniors. There was a lesson for every week with a title, a recommended Scripture passage, some ideas, some questions, a memory verse, a prayer, and an applicable hymn to read at the end of the session.

One time, the theme was "His strength will renew us", and the memory verse was from Isaiah 40: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." Here is the whole passage:

Isaiah 40:29-31 – He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on 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. (NKJV)

These verses tell us about the greatness of God and His faithfulness to give us strength to cope in times of need. I looked at the room full of people, about 20 or 25, and wondered how I could tell them about the way God would renew their strength. Some are in pain; others are lonely and feel forgotten; some are depressed and bored. How could I convince them that God would take care of them and renew their strength? These were difficult words indeed. We talked about the different situations we may find ourselves in and how we get strength from the Lord.

Then, one resident told us that she was there because she had suffered a debilitating stroke some years before. "I am trapped in this body," she said. At first, she had had a real problem accepting her fate. But then, she considered her family and friends, her church and her faith, and she came to the conclusion that she was there for a reason. She talks about her faith to different people and to me. Actually, I learned more from her than she did from me.

Indeed, during those difficult times, the Lord carries us as on the wings of eagles. Eagles usually build their nests on high ledges or in very tall trees, and when the young are ready to learn to fly, the parents make a lot of commotion to get them out of the nest to learn to fly. Sometimes, the young ones are unable to stay airborne, but before they crash, the parent will swoop under it and carry it on its wings back up to the nest, and later, they will try again.

So it is with us when we are overwhelmed by the problems which confront us or the situations we may find ourselves in. When we feel that we are about to crash, the Lord will swoop under us in a symbolic way and carry us on His wings.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we know that in all our problems, we can come to You and You will comfort us, support us, and carry us to Your safety. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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