August 10 – Waiting is Action

“Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength;”   Isaiah 40:30-31a ( NASB)

From the book written by the prophet Isaiah we find words of encouragement and promise today.  These verses are really about two different kinds of strength which are often very closely related.  We realize that there is an inner strength which affects a person's physical strength.  So, what the prophet reminds us about in this passage is that this inner strength comes from trusting in the Lord and it affects our ability to perform useful functions in life.  Waiting on the Lord is actually an act of trust, of hoping with the expectation that God will act for us according to His promises.  God knows when we have an attitude of expectation and He responds by strengthening us.  It is new strength because it comes from Him and it comes from trusting in His word – that is what hoping and waiting is all about.  And, it is about what God promises to do for us when we wait for Him to act.   

# # #

March 28 – Gain New Strength

“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 (NASB©)

Today’s verse gives us refreshing and encouraging words about how God helps those who serve Him. We can expect God to help us for as we wait for him, our strength is renewed and we will not get tired or grow weary in serving Him. In the verses just prior, the prophet reminds us that God, the Creator will not grow tired or weary and that He gives strength to the weary. We are tempted to give in and lay off when we are tired but God has promised what we need. So, if you are facing a daunting task or if you feel tired, this promise is for you. God, who never gets tired, will help us when we feel that we are, and will help us from getting tired. As we put our trust in God, it is He who keeps us going in our Christian life. He will help us walk, run or fly when we are tempted to take a break or check out.

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB©. (www.lockman.org)