In our struggles, it’s easy for us to feel alone or incapable. The Bible tells a different story. We are not just left to fend for ourselves in our weakest moments. Instead, God’s strength comes rushing in to support us when we feel we can’t go on.
Isaiah 40:31a: “…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength….”
(1) We must learn to rest in God’s Sovereignty: we must know who is in charge, “The Everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth” (40:28b).
(2) We must learn to rest in God’s Omnipotence: our problems are never the result of God’s weakness, He “does not become weary or tired” (40:28b).
(3) We must learn to rest in the fact of God’s Omniscience: we must know God knows what He is doing, “His understanding is inscrutable” (40:28c).
(4) We must learn to rest in God’s Love and Care: we must know God cares and wants to strengthen us, “He gives (a habitual practice of God) strength to the weary,” (40:29).
(5) We must learn to wait on the Lord: we must know what waiting on the Lord means (40:30-31).
“Those who wait” is a participle of continual action. By trusting Him, we find the confidence and endurance we need to face any challenge that comes our way. What is the result of such waiting upon the Lord? There is a four-fold result:
Our greatest weakness is our own strength, and if we will go to the Lord in our utter weakness He will exchange it for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). What kind of strength? Physical strength? Yes, He can and does renew our physical strength when we wait upon Him (Romans 8:11). Mental strength? Yes, He is the fountain of all wisdom and quickens our minds as we wait before Him (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; 2 Timothy 1:7). Moral strength? Yes – and how we need it (Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:1). Spiritual strength? Yes (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Isaiah 30:15).
We will “soar on wings like eagles”, far above earth’s sordid level, to where “the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” The eagle is the only bird which flies so high that it is lost to sight – and that is where you and I belong. We belong to Heaven now (Philippians 3:20); “God raised us up with Christ” (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-2).
We will “run, and not grow weary…” It is not natural to run and not feel weary, but God promises supernatural power for the accomplishing of supernatural tasks; we are a supernatural people because we are linked to a supernatural God (John 7:38; 14:12). Are the “streams” flowing through us and the “greater things” being accomplished through us?
We will “walk, and not be faint” – not “run, and not be faint”. Sometimes it is easier to run than to walk. The most testing place for each one of us is that place where we engage in everyday things (Genesis 5:22; Psalm 37:23).
So God calls us to live by faith in His Word, in His sovereign purposes, and in His majestic being. Though His ways and thoughts transcend ours, He calls us to comfort one another as we face the difficulties of life with the challenge, “behold your God, your God reigns!”
Is beholding God practical? Absolutely!
(1) It replaces our weakness with His strength and that is practical. Isaiah promises, “We will gain new strength.”
(2) It lifts us out of despair and allows us to soar above the pressures of life. Isaiah promises, “we will mount up with wings like eagles.” This means we can soar above the reproaches and pains of this life by hope.
(3) It gives endurance and turns us into endurance runners so Isaiah promises, “we will run and not get tired.”
