Strength in Waiting

Do you ever wish you were stronger?

 Maybe you have never felt strong, or maybe you wish you were as strong now as you once were.

 Now that I’m in my 40s, pining after the physical strength of my youth is a daily thing! 

My spiritual strength however has always varied. It changes like the seasons that come and go. My spiritual strength seems to be so easily swayed by my mood, trials, and even my physical health. Day by day, and moment by moment, my level of spiritual fortitude may fluctuate. I often need my strength renewed…

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 40:31

This specific Scripture has been special to me for years. I have loved it since I was a young woman, just learning about the strength that God can bring to a Christian’s life. The thought of the Strength and Majesty of the Eagle was inspiring to me! Way back then, I memorized this verse and the few verses before it.  

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

At that time in my life it gave me hope for a life of strength to serve God faithfully. 

 This passage has continued to bring me so much encouragement over the years. For years, if you asked me to share my favorite Bible Verse, I would quote you verse 31. 

What an overwhelming thought that God, the one who created me, never gets weary!  This concept truly is beyond my understanding. Then again, so much about God is beyond my understanding. Ultimately, I’m ok with that. The fact that dealing with me and my drama doesn’t wear Him out is comforting. I need this passage to remind me of this. I am not a bother to him. I do not “wear out my welcome”…..overwhelming!

He is a source of endless, perfect strength. His strength is perfect. It is better than the strength of young men. Wow, what a concept! As I pine for the strength of my youth, he assures me that His strength is better than anything I ever had! 
As important as this passage has been to me, a few years ago it was put into a different perspective for me. I was in a Bible Study and the Pastor that was teaching referenced Isaiah 40:31. Naturally, I perked up to hear what he was going to say about this verse that I loved. He focused first on the first line of verse 31.  “But they that wait upon the LORD…” I often pondered this line. I had developed my own opinion that this word, “wait”  meant more than waiting for God to do something for me. I suspected that it wasn’t just another plea for me to be more patient in my spiritual walk, but more about the relationship I have with God. However, I hadn’t been able to put it’s meaning into words. This pastor went on to explain that the word “wait” here isn’t in reference to us waiting for something, but is actually a weaving term. As he explained, he slowly laced his fingers together in a tight grasp. That image has stayed with me.

As we weave or knit ourselves into God, he renews our strength! When he said this, it was like a fog cleared in my mind. All of my previous meditation on this passage was illuminated in the light of this one missing fact. This clarity made me love this verse even more! 

One commentary I read described this “wait” as the weaving and winding of a rope. As the small weaker threads are woven and bound into a pattern, strength is accomplished as it is fashioned into a rope. This reminded me of Solomon’s reference of the strength of a threefold cord…

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,

two will withstand him—

a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

This will not happen just because I have a desire to serve and patience for God to bring it about. To “wait upon the LORD” requires action. I have to yield myself and my preferences to Him. I must intentionally weave the Scriptures into my mind and heart. 

This will bring me strength that I alone am not capable of. 

Strength to endure hardships- we all have them.

Strength to read the Bible- it is hard sometimes.

Strength to pray, really pray- it hurts to pour out your heart.

When we can receive and display this amazing strength that can only come from God, it is noticeable. It is evidence of God and His grace when we:

…. mount up with wings like eagles; 

….run, and not be weary; 

…..walk, and not faint.