“Waiting on God” (Isa.40:31)

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)

Have you ever been so utterly exhausted that you nearly (or actually!) collapsed.  As a life-long runner, I have often pushed myself to my physical limits, typically being very careful not to exceed them (especially in the Texas heat!!).  On occasion, however, I have found myself near the point of collapse as I approach the end of my run.  Two things I have found incredibly refreshing:  (1) sinking my teeth into cold, freshly sliced watermelon and (2) lying on my back sprinkling cold hose water all over my burning, achy muscles.  Having such instruments of refreshment readily accessible—and not taking full advantage of them—would be the mark of sheer folly.

I believe it works the same in the spiritual realm; to be spiritually dead under the weight of our sinful condition and to not take full advantage of God’s gracious provision for our revivification (now there’s a word for ya’) is sheer folly.  And this is true not only in the ultimate sense of our salvation from Sin, but also in our individual failures and shortcomings (sins) for which God’s gracious forgiveness is readily accessible.  I’m thinking of lines from a old hymn that well illustrates this folly:

Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh! What needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry,
everything to God in prayer! 

Ah, yes!  “What a Friend we have in Jesus!  All our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry, EVERYTHING to God in prayer.”  The prophet Isaiah reminds us that waiting on the Lord will renew our spiritual strength.  By “waiting” he does not mean waiting (patiently or otherwise) for the Lord to act on our behalf; he means persevering in the midst of trials with a steadfast, unshakable, confident expectation that God will deliver us. This certain hope will enable us to run unimpeded by weariness and to walk with no danger of fainting.  Teach us, Lord!  Teach us, Lord, to wait!!