Week 25
Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the Lord will 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.”
Two of the most common human problems are weakness and weariness. If we claim we never get weak and weary, then either we lie, or we deny the obvious.
There is no fault in admitting these concerns because these (among others) are identified with our limitations and brokenness in this life. But what can be done about such things?
Our text today calls us to “wait for the Lord” promising “new strength” as a result. But what is involved with waiting on the Lord? There are many things that waiting entails. It means to look to the Lord, instead of trusting in other things or people. Waiting means investing one’s hope and confidence in the Lord, rather than placing our expectations in human resources or fate. Waiting on the Lord means harnessing our emotions when tempted to extreme reactive expression and planting our faith firmly and decidedly in the Lord and His promises to us in Christ. Also, waiting on the Lord means transferring what we want to God’s all-wise and sovereign decision concerning the matter. It means removing all demands on God and trusting only in Him for His will, in His time, and in His way. It means to be happy with God’s decision.
This text promises God’s people that if we wait on the Lord in this fashion He will grant to us “new strength.” What will the Lord give to us if we will look to Him in this way? The Lord promises that we will rise like the eagle, soaring over the tempestuous currents of life. The strong winds that oppose us will actually become the means by which we rise and fly with freedom and joy. The Lord promises those who wait on Him that they will run with endurance the race that the Lord sets before us. God’s will and plan require strength and perseverance; God will grant this ability to those who look to Him in faith and trust. Finally, the Lord promises that we will walk the long and seemingly interminable trail of life and do so without weariness. God’s journey for us is long and at times extremely difficult. But He will provide sustaining grace to those who wait on Him.
Dear Christian friend, has life squashed your hope and sapped your strength? You can either capitulate and give in to the pressure and the struggle, resulting in dark chaos and loss of hope, OR you can take it to the Lord. You can take your issues to the Lord, pour out your heart to Him in prayer, and wait on the Lord to work, respond, and sustain you. You will find that our Lord is wise enough to know what to do, strong enough to do what needs to be done, and loving enough to care about you and all that concerns you. You will never regret trusting in the Lord and waiting on Him. Smile and look to Him in faith.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to resist believing the lie that would destroy me. Please help me to trust in You and depend upon You. Help me to turn over to You the great concerns of my life and the great hurt of my heart. Thank You for taking care for me. Amen.