September 9, 2026

37 minutes ago

5 min read

He Gives Strength to the Weary

While listening to a high-ranking, conservative, national government leader speak for a few minutes on Monday night, I could sense the weariness he and those alongside him were experiencing. He was not complaining, mind you; he was just reporting on things in our nation and government. As I listened, Holy Spirit brought to my memory a phrase in Judges 8, verse 4: “...weary, yet pursuing” (NASB).

Before we expound on this, let’s look at the context of this verse. It is the story of Gideon and his leadership in delivering Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. Because of Israel’s rebellion against Yahweh and their worship of Baal, they had been oppressed by Midian for seven years (Judges 6:1-7). The seven-year period of time is significant.

In Scripture, the number 7 is uniquely related to covenant. Why? Because this number symbolizes completeness or fullness, and when entering into covenant, both parties are swearing full or complete allegiance to the covenant. In fact, the Hebrew words “oath,” “swear,” and “seven” all come from the same Hebrew word (shaba), because the oath being sworn to is completely binding. Because of this symbolism, the oath was often repeated 7 times and referred to as “sevening oneself.”(1)

This connection between covenant and the number seven is why God often used the number when releasing judgments against Israel for breaking covenant with Him and aligning themselves with false gods: seven years here in Judges 6, seventy years in Jeremiah 25, for example. In doing so, He was demonstrating the reason for the judgment: “You broke covenant with Me and sevened yourself to other gods.”

The number seven also appears in Scripture at times when Israel repented and God could re-covenant the nation to Himself. Such was the case later in this passage, as we will see in a moment.

Gideon’s Calling

In chapter 6, God commissioned Gideon to lead the effort to end the seven years of judgment and oppression coming from Midian. But before doing so, God gave Gideon an important and significant assignment:

“And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him.” (Judges 6:25-27 KJV)

The village shrine to Baal was in his father’s backyard! God told Gideon that the breakup with Baal would have to begin by tearing down this altar. And notice the specific instructions the Lord gave him. “Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of SEVEN years old…and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.”

A seven-year-old bull! God was clearly saying to Gideon, “Break the covenant with Baal and re-establish covenant with Me!”

Gideon did so, then with an army of only 300 men, soundly defeated the large Midianite army. And as he and his men were driving this enemy from their land, Judges 8:4 tells us the Israelites were “weary, yet pursuing” - the phrase Holy Spirit gave me Monday night.

America Today

This is an amazing picture of what is happening in America today. We are being delivered from our agreement, our covenant with Baal, and restored to covenant with the Lord. Christ’s followers have - and continue to - tear down the spiritual altars of Baal in our land, and rededicate our nation to Him. And although we are winning, many on the front lines of this battle are indeed weary - understandably so. The battle for the soul of America is very intense. Some are being required to lay their lives down for this cause, giving of their time, energy, and strength. This is true of government leaders, as well as many intercessors who faithfully war in the spirit to turn our nation back to God. They all need supernatural empowerment.

And God wants to do this!

As I listened to this government leader on Monday night, sensing his weariness, Holy Spirit reminded me of Daniel 10:18-19, when an angel was sent to impart strength to Daniel. In Luke 22:43, the same thing occurred with Jesus in Gethsemane; an angel came and ministered strength to Him. I’m confident I heard the Lord say, “Ask Me to do this for leaders and intercessors today.”

Then He gave me Isaiah 41:10-13 (KJV):

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

He will do this today! He also took me to the previous chapter, Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV):

“Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Pray with me:

Lord, we are told we can do all things through You, who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). The Psalmist said that when we trust in You, You help us (Psalm 28:7). As we pursue restoration for America, our bodies sometimes grow weary. But we place our full trust in You and accept Your supernatural impartation of strength. We ask for strengthening angels to be sent to those of whom so much is required. We ask this for President Trump, Speaker Johnson, Secretaries Rubio, Hegseth, and others. You know who needs this, Lord.

And now we decree the two passages from Isaiah You gave me regarding this. (Isaiah 41:10-13 and 40:28-31)

“‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them; those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:10-13 NASB)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly. Yet, those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NASB)