We have all experienced the frustration of having to wait. The Israelites were desperately waiting on the promised Messiah when Isaiah gave them a comforting perspective. The first 39 chapters of the book of Isaiah are primarily describing judgment and in chapters 40-66 the prophet changes the focus to that of comfort and encouragement. Chapter 40 reveals the power and faithfulness of God,

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  (Isaiah 40:28-29)

Isaiah contrasts God’s power with those who are usually considered strong and vigorous – youth and young men,

Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, (Isaiah 40:30)

If the youth and young men grow weary and tired, then where are we to find strength? Isaiah reveals the source of our strength is from God,

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. (Isaiah 40:31)

The word “wait” means to have a confident expectation rather than a wishful aspiration. As you look to the Lord and wait upon Him, He will exchange your weakness for His strength. This is the third time Isaiah brings together the two verbs, “tired and weary”. In verse 28 he records that God is not tired and weary and then in verse 30 he notes that those who should be strong, grow tired and weary. Those who wait upon the Lord; however, are able to overcome becoming tired and weary by renewing their strength from the Lord..

Isaiah presents what appears to be a descending climax of three metaphors of soaring, running, and walking. The soaring seems the most dramatic whereas the walking seems rather mundane. Isaiah may have had in mind Israel’s dramatic deliverance from Egypt,

You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. (Exodus 19:4)

The eagle that soars in the air does not worry how to cross rivers.  Next, he uses the picture of a runner. Running depicts enthusiasm as we eagerly pursue a goal. Finally, Isaiah presents the picture of walking which refers to the character of our everyday life.

We cherish our mountain top experiences, but the true test of our spiritual maturity is the ability to live for God in the normal routine of life. Walking may not be thrilling, yet it is how we live the majority of our lives. How is your walk? We read that Enoch was a man who walked with God and God recognized of his character. Waiting for God’s timing enables you renew your strength. God’s not early, but He’s never late – His timing is always perfect.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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