Waiting on the Lord – Renewed Strength

This week, we explore an essential principle in God’s Kingdom: waiting on the Lord, and all the benefits that come with it. Isaiah 40:31 offers profound insights into this principle, equipping us with timeless wisdom to guide us in waiting on God the right way, thereby strengthening our walk with Him. The scripture declares, “those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength …” (vs.31a), emphasizing the distinction between those who actively wait upon the Lord and those who don’t. Waiting on God is not passive; it requires us to maintain our expectation and a confession of faith, no matter the circumstances. This posture of expectation renews our strength, fuels our endurance during seasons of waiting, and becomes the breeding ground for miracles. While waiting, we must continue to serve Him wholeheartedly, keeping the fire burning within us. Proverbs 23:18 reassures us, saying, “For surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” This scripture reminds us that it is often our own wavering belief that hinders the fulfillment of God’s promises for us; when we stop believing, we hinder our own dreams from coming to pass. Therefore, we must continually renew our minds to the Truth of God’s Word (Romans 12:2), ensuring our expectation remains unshaken. When our expectation is firmly rooted in hope, it keeps us steadfast and passionate in our pursuit of God’s promises. Hope sustains our expectation and empowers us to receive what God has already provided by grace. The Apostle Paul describes this hope as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19) and reminds us that “this hope maketh not ashamed” (Romans 5:5a). Just as an anchor stabilizes a ship, hope stabilizes our hearts and minds, preventing us from drifting away in discouragement. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us, faith, hope, and love work together to bring us to a place of spiritual maturity; each is essential and we cannot selectively operate in one without the others – we must embrace them all.

Isaiah 40:31 compares those who wait on the Lord to eagles, saying first, “they shall mount up with wings as eagles” (vs.31b). Throughout Scripture, God often references creatures from the animal kingdom to illustrate profound truths. For instance, Proverbs 6:6 instructs, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” This verse highlights the diligence of an ant in gathering food consistently to prepare for future seasons. Similarly, the eagle exemplifies qualities we can learn from as believers. Eagles thrive in storms, using the wind’s resistance to soar higher; they confront adversity boldly, knowing it propels them upward. Likewise, as children of God, we must face life’s challenges with boldness, pressing on in tough times, knowing that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Saints, the Christian life is not without problems; in fact, Jesus said, “You will have trials, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Another remarkable trait of eagles is their capacity for renewal and transformation. When their beaks and feathers become worn, they retreat to a mountaintop, shedding the old to make way for the new, therefore strengthening the eagle for future challenges. Likewise, when we grow weary or feel worn down, we must retreat into the presence of God, allowing His Word to renew and strengthen us. Just as the eagle undergoes a physical transformation to regain its strength, we are spiritually renewed through the power of God’s Word, equipping us to rise above life’s circumstances and press on with renewed vigor.

Eagles also have exceptional eyesight, allowing them to spot things from great distances. This symbolizes the importance of discernment and spiritual insight in the life of a believer, qualities that come from knowing and applying God’s Word. Eagles teach us the importance of vision, discernment, and living with purpose. Just as eagles refuse to eat dead prey, relying only on fresh food, we too must draw daily from the living Word of God rather than relying on yesterday’s revelation. The story of the Israelites collecting fresh manna daily (Exodus 16:4-21) reinforces this truth: God’s provision is renewed daily, and we must seek Him continually for sustenance and direction. Isaiah 40:31 further assures us that those who wait upon the Lord will “run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” The enemy often tries to wear us down to the point of fainting, starting with small compromises or bad habits that can escalate into bigger issues if left unchecked. That is why Galatians 6:9 encourages us, saying, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Spiritual seasons are determined by revelation and light; the more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more we step into the due season for our harvest. Church, let us hold firmly to God’s Word, waiting with expectation and hope for the manifestation of His promises and the renewing of our strength for the journey ahead.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for your powerful Word, which transforms our lives, strengthens our faith, and deepens our convictions. Thank You for the promise that as we wait on You, our strength will be renewed, empowering us to persevere even when we feel like giving up. In Jesus name, Amen!