Strength for Every Morning

“LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. 

Be our strength every morning, 

our salvation in time of distress.” 

 Isaiah 33:2

In the midst of national turmoil and spiritual decay, the prophet Isaiah lifts a cry not of entitlement but of deep dependence: “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you.” This is the honest prayer of those who have reached the end of themselves. When every human strategy collapses, the soul learns to long for the only One who can save. Jesus echoed this dependence when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To pray this way is to lay down pride and self-reliance, and acknowledge our need for divine grace to make us whole.

Isaiah’s next petition—“Be our strength every morning”—is not a plea for a single act of rescue but a deep yearning for daily sustenance. It echoes the pattern of manna in the wilderness, a sign that God’s grace is always fresh and sufficient for each new day (Exodus 16:4). Morning becomes a sacred moment to re-center our hearts, to remember that it is God who nourishes and sustains us—not our own efforts or performance. Especially in times of trial, this daily dependence becomes a lifeline. The journey of faith often involves letting go of control, of illusions, and of self-sufficiency. And in that release, it is not human willpower that carries us forward, but the quiet strength God provides each morning—just enough light for the next step.

Finally, Isaiah calls God “our salvation in time of distress.” This is the God who not only reigns eternally but draws near in our chaos (Psalm 46:1). C.S. Lewis observed that while God may whisper in our pleasures, He “shouts in our pain.” Distress is not the absence of God—it is the very place where grace descends. Mother Teresa knew this well when she said, “You’ll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” Whether in the slums of Calcutta or in the shadows of Judah, the truth remains: God is not only our refuge, but our rescuer. He is our shield in sorrow, our strength in weakness, and our salvation in the storm.

Prayer

Lord, be gracious to us. We long for You—not just for relief but for Your presence. Be our strength this morning. Meet us in our weakness, and carry us through the unknown. In every distress, be our salvation. Help us trust You one day at a time. Amen.