by John Doyle
“They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
The name Isaiah means “The Lord is salvation,” and this theme resonates through all of the prophet’s book. The writing reflects an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty over His people and all nations, as well as a reminder that no one can be holy in their own strength and that we must *wait on the Lord* for Him to provide this through His Word and by His Spirit, in His time.
In these days of the Covid Pandemic and Lockdown we do need to be reminded that we serve a Sovereign God Who Created the earth and gave us life and He knows the exact time when the Lockdown will be over. In the meantime lets apply Gods word and “Wait upon the Lord”.
Along with these difficult passages, the book of Isaiah offers a glimpse of God’s amazing plan to reclaim His people through the arrival of a Deliverer. In the meantime, passages like chapter 40 declare God’s promise of provision and victory for those who rely on Him as they WAIT upon the Lord.
Isaiah pronounced in Chapter 39 that the Babylonians would invade Jerusalem, leading to a period of captivity for God’s people. This was a frightening prospect, especially following all the messages of judgement and condemnation Isaiah had already brought to the nations. God’s faithful needed reassurance, and He graciously shifts the tone of Isaiah’s words to encourage them. Starting in Chapter 40, wonderful prophetic words tells of the comfort, forgiveness and incredible blessings God has in store for those who Love and Obey Him.
The glory of God is a theme that runs throughout the whole book of Isaiah. But rather than keeping the focus on the fearful aspect of oncoming invasion, Chapter 40 jumps ahead to a time after God’s people have been in captivity in a foreign land. Now comes a touch of consolation and anticipation of a new thing that God will be doing. It starts with the voice of a loving Father to his children who have just been released from Babylon to return home.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2)
Then comes the start of joyful proclamations for those that *WAIT upon the Lord*
Isaiah leads up to his promise in verse 31 with many other beautiful verses:
1. “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together” Isaiah 40:5.
2. “You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Zion lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, Here is your God” Isaiah 40:9.
Many verses here claim God as Creator and Ruler.
3. “He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing” Isaiah 40:22-23.
4. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” Isaiah 40:26.
5. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom” Isaiah 40:28.
6. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” Isaiah 40:11.
7. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” Isaiah 40:29.
When we *WAIT ON THE LORD* despite all that we maybe going through:
1. His Will, not ours will be fulfilled in His TIME
2. His Authority will prevail as He is our Sovereign God and loves us unconditionally
3. His Inspiration that He provides in His Word will keep us Focused on Him
4. His Timing is always perfect to bring about His Will and His Ways for His Bride, the Body of Christ.
How do we renew our Faith in the Lord Through Waiting?
Every believer needs times of refreshment and renewal. Whether we’ve been through a season of trial or just find ourselves burnt out from work. We need to apply the W. A. I. T. principles listed above before we fall into discouragement and find ourselves distant from the Lord. Fortunately, as Isaiah says, God is our unending source of strength. He generously gives to all who ask, so the key to renewing our Faith is staying close to Him. An important way to do this is to cultivate a daily quiet time with Him.
This is our encouragement for you today.
Its time to sing the verse with me:
THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD, SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH,
THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES,
THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,
THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT,
TEACH ME LORD, TEACH ME LORD TO W-A-I-T.
In the Love of the Lord Jesus,
John and Barbara
