Isaiah 40
ScriptureIsaiah 40:30-31Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lordwill renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.Observation - What does it say?Unlike man-made idols of wood and precious metals which cannot help people in any way, God is the all-powerful Creator of the universe and provides unlimited strength to those who hope in him. Even where the most healthy, in-shape and energetic young person would get tired, the person who hopes in the Lord will have the strength to keep going.Understanding - What does it mean?
This amazing promise of renewed strength and pictures of soaring, running and walking with ease are not for everyone. They are only for those who hope in the LORD. That word hope in the original Hebrew is also translated as wait. As a matter of fact, the majority of English translations seem to use the word wait in this verse. So the question for every person is, “What are you waiting on?”
This scripture leads me to believe that anyone (Christ-follower or not) who is weary and who isn’t having their strength renewed, hasn’t been hoping in, or taking enough time to wait, upon the Lord. In need of renewed strength? The answer is taking time to wait upon the Lord.Life ApplicationWait upon the Lord.
Although it hasn’t been intentional, every post this week has led me to think about our 28 days of prayer and fasting. When I prayed about my first 40 day fast several years ago, this verse in Isaiah was the one God gave me. As I set aside 40 days to stop waiting on tv, media, and around the dinner table, I would spend time waiting on God in prayer and the word instead. And as a result, God would renew my strength and cause me to soar. The picture of soaring was one of God granting me the ability to get an aerial view so to speak; the ability to see my situation, other people, the church, the world, etc, from his perspective.
God, next month as we fast the empty things we waste so much time waiting on, help us to follow through with waiting on you instead. And as we do, thank you that you will renew our strength and passion and bless us to see things from your perspective. Amen.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.