Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for 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. —Isaiah 40:30-31
Isaiah set up verses 30-31 with a call primarily to behold who God is and what He does, (v. 28-29). Now, He continues but develops it even further. As you read, there is at least one question that should be asked. What do you think that question is? Ponder this as you read on.
What are we reminded of about ourselves in verse 30? We faint, grow weary and fall exhausted. There is good news in verse 31 however, and it is no secret that when we see the word “but” or “but God” in Scripture right after words that reveal our sin and weakness, that we are often moved to praising God as we read of His grace and mercy (I Corinthians 1:26-31; Ephesians 2:1-10). This is such a place in Scripture. What does God provide to those who wait for Him? “But they who wait for the LORD…”
Their strength is renewed
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint
Do you see what question needs to be asked? For what purpose is God promising strength to those who wait for Him? God is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He made us to live for Him and not for ourselves. We need strength to do what we were created to do, namely, to make His name known in our lives; to glorify Him.
Now, how does this point us to Jesus and what does it have to do with strength and weakness? Reading Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16, we are told that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses and that because of His blood and righteousness we can go to God and find strength, so that we can live for Him.
May you long for God’s name to be made great in your life. As you commune with God in prayer, may these thoughts guide you:
Am I content to be dependent upon You God; am I at peace with being weak while depending on Your strength?
When I find promises of help in Your Word, may Your Spirit give witness to Jesus in my heart making His name great in my life.