Dick and Rick are members of Team Hoyt. Together they’ve competed in sixty-four marathons, two hundred and six triathlons at Ironman distance, and two hundred and four 10K runs. In total, that’s over six thousand kilometres!

But get this. Dick, the father, can run. But Rick, the son, isn’t able to run or speak. It’s been that way since he was born. The medical team didn’t give him much hope. But his parents did. They took care of him and, as he grew, knew he was bright. He enrolled in school, and eventually earned a college degree.

When Rick was fifteen he asked his father if he could enter a five-mile charity race. So his dad rigged up a three-wheeled wheelchair and they entered together. With that, Team Hoyt was launched. They’re both in the race, but Rick needs to totally rely on the strength of his father.*

So do we. We need to totally rely on the strength of our heavenly Father. Isaiah says it with honesty and clarity: “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress” (Isaiah 33:2, emphasis added).

It’s not all up to you. You are tethered to a strong, strong God. You benefit from his light. And you are guided forward by his words.

In him, you may fall, but he will lift you up. You may get a bit lost, but it will only be temporary. You may get a bit low, but then you will hear his encouraging words embracing your soul.

Talk to him. Listen to his word. Spend time with him. Spend time with his people. Love the ones he loves. And rest in the strength that only he can give. After all, he’s your perfect Father.

“LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

By Matthew Ruttan

—NEW BOOK: Last week I announced the publication of new book: Turbulence—Devotionals to steady you through the storms of life. Click here to learn more about it. I hope it’s help and hope for these challenging times! [You can also read the full Forward to the book here.]

–*As told in: Max Lucado, 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 67-68.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.