Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait upon 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.”
I have three wonderful children with my beautiful wife Gina. Each of our kids have their own unique personality and gifting. When they were young, we would go on walks with them, expose them to the outdoors and to nature. They would be so excited when the walks began and sometimes run ahead of us. Often, we would have to give them instruction as we walked along. The instructions would differ according to the path or road that we were traveling. Instructions like, don’t get to far ahead of us, don’t stray to far from the path, watch out for snakes or leave your brother alone. All the extra energy they expended would begin to take its toll. Inevitably they would become tired after a while and begin to fall behind and then they would ask “I’m tired, can you carry me?”. We would encourage them to keep up with us and not fall behind and yes, sometimes we would reach down and pick one of them up and carry them part of the way. As we neared home they would seem to be recharged and want to get down and “race” to the driveway. I tried to make it look like a close race but let them cross the finish line first.
This journey that each of us are on can become wearisome! All the extra energy that we expend on the things that are along the path of life can flat wear us out physically, mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where we don’t know what to do. We are at the end of our proverbial rope and are losing our grip on life. It is in those moments that you NEED your strength renewed. The word “wait” in Isaiah 40:31 is an active verb that means to “actively or with anticipation” wait….to wait with expectation.
“But those who wait upon the Lord SHALL renew their strength”! It is when we stop focusing on all the stuff and focus on the Lord that our strength is renewed. When we stop hearing what the world around us says and start hearing what the Lord says, our strength is renewed, our faith is built up because we are listening to His voice, His word, His truth. When we spend time resting, waiting in His presence our walk becomes a race to the end that we always win because in His presence we “mount up with wings like eagles, we shall run and not be weary, we walk and don’t faint. That is what resting in His presence, His arms will do for you. Trust Him. He has you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your strength, provision and encouragement. I know that I can do all things through You who strengthens me. In Jesus Name. Amen.