TeaTime Devotional June 9th, 2025

Written By:  Shantell Johnson

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Testify:

 As I began writing this devotion, I started to think of the physical stretching that I do most mornings and before a workout. I thought about how stretching can sort of hurt and feel good at the same time. I have suffered from depression in the past, and there were times when I didn’t want to get out of bed at all!  To wake up earlier in the morning is no small feat. It is the renewed trust that I have in God that brought me to this point. Stretching contributes to so much more than my physical body; it sets the tone for my day and gives me renewed strength and brings me joy.

Edify: 

Isaiah 40 is reminding us of exactly who God is. He is the almighty. He is the everlasting God. He can do ALL things. He created the stars. He has never asked or ever needed our help for anything. And yet, we grow impatient, weak and tired waiting for him to do a great thing in our lives. Hasn’t he always come through, even when it was not what you thought it would look like? The dictionary describes the definition of waiting as “the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens.” Some may say that waiting is the opposite of stretching. In the physical, perhaps, but I challenge you to think of the things that take place while you are waiting for something or someone.  In your waiting season, the stretching of faith precedes the revelation of promise. In your waiting season, your patience is stretched, allowing us to learn endurance and long-suffering. Prayer life is stretched, allowing us to grow in persistence and pray without ceasing. Understanding is stretched, allowing our perspective to stretch to see his bigger picture. Our minds, attitude, character, and obedience are stretched allowing God to enlarge your capacity to trust. You may be stretched to capacity waiting for a word from God. We all must decide what we will do with the time in between our asking and our receiving; that’s stretching time!

Apply:

Look back at your past situations that you’ve gone through. Remember God’s past actions and track record. Trust him to renew and restore your situation.  Wake up in the morning, set the tone for your day, do your part and leave the rest to God.