Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they walk and not faint. [Living Bible translation]
Summary
The name “Isaiah” means “Yahweh is salvation.” His name signifies “the salvation of GOD.” Isaiah was a prophet. He was commissioned by GOD. Isaiah reports that “in the year King Uzziah died” he saw the LORD. The LORD was seated upon a throne, surrounded by worshipping, flying seraphim. Isaiah 40:2-3. The LORD told Isaiah HE needed a messenger to speak to HIS people. Although Isaiah, eagerly volunteered, the task would not be easy. It would be many years of preaching and a long, long wait.
Some divide the scope of Isaiah’s prophesies into:
- Those prophecies condemn and denounce the sins of the Jewish people, the sins of the nation of Israel, the sins of several surrounding nations, and other offenders.
- Those prophesy inviting persons everywhere, either Jews and Gentiles, whatever their rank or station might be, to repent of their sins; and
- Those prophecies that comfort the remnant of believers of the coming and promises of the MESSIAH. These prophecies included the foretelling of HIS birth, HIS ministry and preaching, HIS suffering and death, and the glory of HIS kingdom that will come.
Isaiah prophesied during the reign of a number of kings---Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Although Isaiah’s prophecies foretold the coming of JESUS, it would be about 700 years after Isaiah's messages before JESUS would be born. Isaiah did not know exactly when the MESSIAH would come. But, because Isaiah believed in GOD, Isaiah knew the MESSIAH would come, so Isaiah continued to prophesize and just wait.
And, while he waited, Isaiah continued to work for GOD. He believed in GOD’s WORD and trusted in the promises of GOD.
Isaiah waited on the LORD year after year after year.
WAITING
Life can be full of waiting---waiting for a doctor’s appointment, waiting for a vaccine to be administered (the first dose or the second dose), waiting for places to reopen, waiting for people to suddenly change, waiting for changes in governments, waiting for the pandemic to end, waiting for stimulus checks, waiting for the outcome of a state election, waiting for test results, waiting for jobs, and on and on.
Waiting alone can be a lonely experience because:
- You cannot predict what will happen, or when it will occur, or “predict the future;”
- You cannot control the outcome, or have the power to “make things happen immediately;” or
- You may be bombarded with news that things are not getting better, or you may simply feel that things are not getting better causing you to feel your waiting may be in vain.
The “weight” of many of the things we wait for can sometimes result in anxiety, fear, and doubt when we wait alone. And the uncertainty caused by waiting alone may take its toll mentally and or physically. As one writer puts it, “It is not the burdens of life that crush us, it is how you and I handle them.”
So, like Isaiah, “Wait on THE LORD.” Don’t try to handle the weight alone. Cast your burdens on HIM. Why? Because THE LORD knows the future. THE LORD can control outcomes. Because, unlike us, THE LORD never grows weary or faint. Unlike us, “our burdens” cannot “weigh” THE LORD down. Like the wings of an eagle, as we wait on the LORD, THE LORD can soar higher and higher.
As Psalms 27:14 instructs us:
Wait on THE LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart:
Wait, I say, on THE LORD.
CONSIDER EXERCISING AS YOU WAIT
In “It’s Never Too Late to Start Exercise, Researchers Find Great Rewards When Mild Exercise Programs Are Started Late In Life,” by Sid Kirchheimer, May 13, 2003, there is a report of a research study involving 9,500 women tracked for 12 years, examining the old adage whether it really is never too late to start exercising. The study was reported in The Journal of The American Medical Association. The researcher began tracking the 9,500 when they were at least 66 years of age. They found that those who went from doing little or nothing to walking just a mile a day slashed their risk of death from all causes and from cancer by nearly half. Their risk of heath disease was reduced by more than a third. The study found that these new exercisers enjoyed nearly as much protection as women who were physically active before the study and remained active. See, “It’s Never Too Late to Start Exercise, Researchers Find Great Rewards When Mild Exercise Programs Are Started Late In Life,” by Sid Kirchheimer, May 13, 2003, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20030513/never-too-late-exercise/
Other research confirms the finding of the importance of exercise. In “Why It’s Never Too Late To Start Exercising,” it was noted that:
- Even if you’ve never worked out before, you still have the same ability as a world-class athlete to build muscle.
- Additionally, even small amounts of exercise can make a big difference in your health.
See, “Why It’s Never Too Late To Start Exercising, by Kristen Fischer, September 4, 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-its-never-too-late-to-start-exercising
In a Harvard New Brief, “It’s never too late to start exercising!” it was noted that exercise can help ward off chronic illness and help maintain independence and mobility. Research shows that going from inactive to active---whether in your 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s---was beneficial to health. See, https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/its-never-too-late-to-start-exercising
There are a number of You Tube exercise programs online. Many gyms are also offering virtual classes. Some gyms are also offering the 3-day beginning of the year free passes.
If you have a physical condition, disability, or have concerns about starting an exercise program, consult your personal physician for advice on the best exercise program for you.
PRAY, WORK, and ENCOURAGE OTHERS AS YOU WAIT ON THE LORD
What we do while we wait for matters. We can pray---one for another, ministries, families, medical personnel, essential workers, those who are suffering, family, friends, neighbors, other countries, and world leaders. Pray also for our local, state, and federal leaders.
We can wait on THE LORD, deriving comfort knowing that GOD is able to handle our weight and the weight of all our burdens. As we wait, we can also look back and thank GOD for all of the things GOD has already done and just continue to trust in GOD. We can pray the HOLY SPIRIT gives us renewed strength, courage, and direction.
The Bible teaches us that waiting is nothing new. But how we wait matters. Wait on the LORD!
While we wait, pray we BE A BLESSING and BE BLESSED.
