But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isa. 40:31
How do you wait and renew your strength?
When we think of waiting, we think of an agonizing period of doing nothing. We feel it is a waste of time; there are better things to do than wait. Yet there are times of waiting patiently such as in a doctor’s waiting room or for a signal to turn green and let us go. The expectant mother has a long wait ahead of her while she bears this growing burden and longs for it to be over with.
So how do you wait in such a way to renew your strength?
This verse tests us like many other promises. They help us see the prize—and reveal our lack of strength to pursue it. We don’t have the spiritual acumen to read it and say, “I absolutely want that!” Dull-hearted, we read it, say “Amen,” and move on with our lives. We’re fine. We can handle this. No problem.
He has promised to give us a strength that normal food cannot give us. It’s impossible for the average person to run and not get tired; it’s impossible to walk through difficulties and not lose strength. These promises are to make us think. They are something the Lord says He will do for us. If we wait, we certainly will be renewed. There is no defect on God’s side, so how badly do we want it? Will we take up His promise with eagerness, knowing that He will supply our lack?
This waiting is with purpose. It is a commitment to wait on Him and no other. We will let others go, but not the Lord. We tell others, “If you’re impatient, you can go, but I’ll keep waiting with expectancy. God will not fail me.” Let them go; this world is not our home; we aim to mount skyward on eagles’ wings today. I’ll fly away.
One rare meaning for “wait” is “bind,” like a rope. You are strapping yourself in for the ride of your life. You will not be tossed off the rails or ejected from your seat, for your dedication to the Lord is firm. The Lord’s eyes go through all the earth to find the heart that is devoted to Him that He may show Himself strong on behalf of the one who is loyal to Him.
You are not redoubling your religious activities, hoping God will see your faithfulness and reward you, thus putting Him in your debt. You are not reminding the Lord about how good you’ve been or the awards men have given you or the advancement in the ecclesiastical ranks through which you have risen.
You are centered on a Person, not things of wood, gold, or stone; on the God of Jacob, not a god of your own making.
You are centered on a Person, for you value eternal life, knowing God, as more precious than anything this world can offer. You wait to know Him more; you know He can deliver on His promises.
You don’t wait silently. You bring to yourself all your strong reasons to stay true to this Redeemer. You strengthen yourself with His glorious deeds done on your behalf in the past. You review with wonder His promises to be with you and fight for you. You remind yourself of His glorious, all-sufficient gospel, for He is able to do abundantly above all we can ask or think, and with the gospel, He has done just that.
You have a spiritual work to do, and you know only God can give you the strength to do it. You want to be like Jesus in everything. You want to walk with God in fellowship all day long. You want to show the world what Christ is, be His image-bearer. You want to carry on your menial work in a way that honors God. Yours is a spiritual problem needing a spiritual solution. In your waiting, you are coming to the place where solutions are found.
The Spirit who is Holy whispers and draws you away from the tottering frames you have been leaning on. You put off sin and flesh and put on Christ. You have found the Rock that is higher than you. You shall not be moved.
You believe—and receive an outpouring of the Spirit. You believe in God alone; you are alive to God! The Power that upholds the universe has followed through to satisfy your longing.
