The Lord of the Rings: Strength From the One Who Never Grows Weary - Reformed (Isaiah 40:31)

Imagine, if you will, the rugged landscape of Middle-earth, where the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Picture Frodo Baggins, a small hobbit from the quiet Shire, burdened with the weight of the One Ring, a task so immense it seems destined to crush him. Each step he takes feels like wading through thick mud, every breath a labor against despair. Yet, there by his side is Samwise Gamgee, a loyal friend whose spirit seems unyielding. Sam embodies the love and strength that comes not from his own might, but from a deep-seated commitment to Frodo, a promise to carry him through the darkest of times.

In a pivotal moment, as Frodo falters under the Ring’s crushing weight, Sam reminds him, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.” This is an echo of the truth found in Isaiah 40:28-31, where we read, “The LORD is the everlasting God… He does not faint or grow weary.” Just like Sam, our God stands alongside us, offering strength that surpasses our own. When we are weary and worn down, He is the everlasting source of renewal.

Think of those majestic eagles soaring above the mountains, not flapping their wings in exhaustion but riding the warm thermals that the Creator provides. They don’t generate their own wind; they embrace the currents of grace that lift them higher. When we place our trust in the God who never tires, we, too, can rise above our struggles. Like Frodo and Sam, we find strength in covenant faithfulness, discovering that even in our weakest moments, we are held and carried by the One who is always strong. Let us lean into that truth today, allowing God’s inexhaustible strength to lift us up as we wait upon Him.