Evening Scripture

Isaiah, Chapter 35

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.

No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,
and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Evening Reflection

While there is great joy in following Jesus, following Christ does not exempt us from exhaustion. Walking in righteousness and holiness is difficult, and sometimes it can feel like a constant battle against the culture, Satan, and your own fleshly nature. Sometimes it can exhaust you to the point where you don’t feel like putting on your armor or fighting the good fight of faith. If you are in this place, you are not alone; this can happen to all of us.  

When faced with being weak and weary, that is the time to recognize that part of your strength comes from your hope in what God has promised to do. In Isaiah 35, we see how his promises work in us. God’s promise becomes the source of strength for those with feeble hands, weak knees, and fearful hearts.

By shifting your focus to a God who will come to save and to rescue, your hands become stronger, your knees straighten and your heart becomes courageous. This speaks to the amazing hope that is birthed by holding on to God’s promises.

These verses in Isaiah identify three areas you can place your hope.
The hope of deliverance that God will come and save you.
The hope of restoration, that he will heal and renew what is broken.
The hope of everlasting joy, where he replaces yesterday’s sorrows with the joy of his presence.

As you consider your journey, just know there will be moments where you feel weak or weary. However, you don’t have to stay in that place. Your hope in God allows you to look beyond what you are experiencing and focus on what God has promised for you ahead. Focusing on your future hope can give you all the strength you need to find strength in your present circumstances.

Evening Prayer

Lord,

I am tired. My strength is weak. I am weary and I feel like I have nothing left to offer. I pray in this moment that you will help me find strength in the truth of your promises, knowing that you will never go back on your word. Let my confidence soar and renew my strength by the hope of your word. Remind me that this season is temporary and that today’s weariness is part of the journey but not the end of the story.

Thank you for your promises, which give me hope, and your joy, which gives me strength. Help me to rest knowing that you will always walk with me, even when I have nothing left.

I pray all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

 

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Evening Scripture
Isaiah, Chapter 35
The desert&nbsp;and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, &ldquo;Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.&rdquo;
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway&nbsp;will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Evening Reflection
While there is great joy in following Jesus, following Christ does not exempt us from exhaustion. Walking in righteousness and holiness is difficult, and sometimes it can feel like a constant battle against the culture, Satan, and your own fleshly nature. Sometimes it can exhaust you to the point where you don&rsquo;t feel like putting on your armor or fighting the good fight of faith. If you are in this place, you are not alone; this can happen to all of us. &nbsp;
When faced with being weak and weary, that is the time to recognize that part of your strength comes from your hope in what God has promised to do. In <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/35.html">Isaiah 35</a>, we see how his promises work in us. God&rsquo;s promise becomes the source of strength for those with feeble hands, weak knees, and fearful hearts.
By shifting your focus to a God who will come to save and to rescue, your hands become stronger, your knees straighten and your heart becomes courageous. This speaks to the amazing hope that is birthed by holding on to God&rsquo;s promises.
These verses in Isaiah identify three areas you can place your hope.
<ul>
<li>The hope of deliverance that God will come and save you.</li>
<li>The hope of restoration, that he will heal and renew what is broken.</li>
<li>The hope of everlasting joy, where he replaces yesterday&rsquo;s sorrows with the joy of his presence.</li>
</ul>
As you consider your journey, just know there will be moments where you feel weak or weary. However, you don&rsquo;t have to stay in that place. Your hope in God allows you to look beyond what you are experiencing and focus on what God has promised for you ahead. Focusing on your future hope can give you all the strength you need to find strength in your present circumstances.
Evening Prayer
Lord,
I am tired. My strength is weak. I am weary and I feel like I have nothing left to offer. I pray in this moment that you will help me find strength in the truth of your promises, knowing that you will never go back on your word. Let my confidence soar and renew my strength by the hope of your word. Remind me that this season is temporary and that today&rsquo;s weariness is part of the journey but not the end of the story.
Thank you for your promises, which give me hope, and your joy, which gives me strength. Help me to rest knowing that you will always walk with me, even when I have nothing left.
I pray all this in Jesus&rsquo; name.
Amen.
&nbsp;
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Finding Strength When I Feel Weak and Weary (Isaiah 35)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/18ec1b05-1a30-4646-bc64-b4e900fa3b26/transcript