“Yet those who wait upon 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 NASB).
Whenever I read this verse, my eyes like to skip to the really good part-the gaining strength, mounting up, tireless running, and weariless walking part. I see myself soaring despite the difficulty, rising high above it.
But there are a few words before the really good part, conditional words-”those who wait for the LORD.” Yep, that one word says a whole lot: wait.
I did a word study on “wait” once-you guessed it, during a trial-and found it all over the Psalms. Here are a few examples: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield” (Psalm 33:20). “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1). “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6).
You’re probably getting the same picture I got as I studied that word. “Waiting” is an indispensable part of the journey. But if we had to be honest, it’s not exactly fun! It means we’re hoping and expecting, but we’re also in the midst of, feeling the pain, crying out, and wondering why. I’ve waited in tears, with fear and doubt threatening to overwhelm me. I’ve waited with an incredible feeling that things would never change, waking up in the morning to anxiety nipping at my heels.
But as we wait-hoping, expecting, and even crying out to God-something happens. We draw closer to Him. We learn our deep need of Him. We begin to behold His power and His majesty and His sovereignty. After all, in that same chapter in Isaiah, He tells us He’s the One who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand (40:12). He’s the One who created the stars and calls them all by name (40:26). He’s the One who sits above the vault of the earth (40:22).
And yes, He’s the One who, as we wait, will indeed cause us to gain new strength, to mount up with wings like eagles, to run and not get tired, and to walk and not get weary.
The waiting may not be easy, but the rewards are divine.
Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God. You are sovereign and You are mighty. When trials enter my life and threaten to overwhelm me, help me to wait for You, and in the midst, to seek You. I thank You for Your promise that I will be strengthened, and I will soar, and I will be able to run this race, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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About the author
Kimberly Cash Tate is the author of the novel, “Heavenly Places” (2008) and the nonfiction book, “More Christian than African-American: and other ways Jesus turned my life upside down.” (2009). She has appeared as a guest on international Christian television programs such as “The Harvest Show” and “Rejoice.” She has also been a guest on national Christian radio shows, including Janet Parshall’s America, Let’s Talk it Over with Janet Parshall, and Chris Fabry on the Moody Broadcast Network. Kimberly is the founder of Colored in Christ Ministries, and loves her first ministry to her husband and two children.
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