Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength
Isaiah 40:30-31. New American Standard Bible30 Though youths grow weary and tired,And vigorous young men stumble badly,31 Yet those who wait for the LordWill gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary.
True strength is not based on age or found in ourselves. Isaiah writes here though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly. Isaiah is setting up the next verse. In our nation and culture youthfulness is worshipped. People often look at the elderly and discard them believing they are past their prime and can add no benefit to society.
Those who are young are filled with life and vitality. But in s spiritual race and journey even the young will become weary and tired. They will stumble at times. The battles we face as believers and followers in Christ are intense, but it is here in the next verse that Isaiah gives us the key to victorious overcoming living.
Isaiah writes that whose who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. Waiting upon the Lord is a place of expectation. It is knowing that God is moving in the unseen places. It is not a passive exercise of simply sitting around. In the place of waiting we are called to seek the Lord and strengthen ourselves in the Lord.
The promises to the one who waits upon the Lord is they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will renew their strength, they will run and not grow tired, they will walk and not be weary. The promise is that the strength and power needed to accomplish the plans and purposes of God is found in God alone.
We live in a culture in which people look to themselves. They speak of improving themselves and bettering themselves. They have simply made the pursuit of self their god. But this is a road marked for destruction. For man is inherently wicked and to rely on self is simply a recipe for defeat.
But the servant of Jesus Christ who relied fully on God will accomplish the impossible. Not because they are great in themselves, but because they have learned the secret to the overcoming victorious life which is full reliance on Jesus Christ for all things.
God's word reveals who He is. It teaches us how to live and navigate this life. Daily we find ourselves living in enemy territory and must rely fully upon the Lord. Those who wait upon the Lord will not be shaken. Those who wait upon the Lord will be champions on this earth and will bring great glory to Jesus Christ.
