Isaiah 40:31 - “But those who wait upon 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.”
Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
I may have never compiled a more important essay. I hope you will invest the 8-9 minutes it takes. We will look at this beloved passage and speak to you about a special friend - an inmate who has waited on the Lord faithfully - knowing that the truth would finally come out.
I’ve always had a love and devotion for this amazing verse as stated by the prophet Isaiah. I’ve heard it said many times that we shouldn’t say that we have a favorite verse from the Old or New Testaments – that we should treasure ALL of God’s Word. And while that is true, there still are verses that I believe God has spoken to our hearts and minds, helping and encouraging us with whatever path we’ve crossed in our walk with Christ.
Both of my sons were endurance, cross-country runners in high school. We made so many precious memories of getting up early on a Saturday, traveling to some race, often quite a distance from the house. My oldest son James also adopted this verse from Isaiah as his favorite, possibly because it spoke of how we could “run and not be weary.” Whatever his reason was, it was a great verse to choose, for it speaks of how our Lord helps us to renew our strength in our often-fledgling walk through the valleys of life.
Yes, this is one of God’s great exhortation verses in the bible. It promises strength for the exhausted. God knows that as humans, we take matters into our hands and follow our human strategy, which tends to fail or disappoint us. And here, is an exhortation to wait upon Him, have faith in Him and we will be victorious. ‘Waiting’ is seen as a difficult task for most people during their challenging times.
They see it as God is too slow or doesn’t care about them. Otherwise, He wouldn’t ask them to wait. Waiting in this context means to trust or have faith in God despite the situation or circumstances you are faced with. Having confidence in God that whatever He has said in His word concerning you or the challenge, He will surely bring them to pass. For God is a way maker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness. Weeping may endure for the night, joy or happiness will come in the morning.
He has promised that those who trust or have faith in Him will not be overwhelmed by the storms of life but rather, He will lift up their heads and they will be victorious. God is with us in all aspects and tough situations of life, and He wants us to trust Him in every phase of it because He will bring us out through His unlimited power.
This is such a powerful verse for every believer, but especially for those men and women who are enduring years of incarceration. It’s not always easy to tell someone who is facing years in prison to simply wait on the Lord, as that waiting year after year after year takes it’s takes it’s toll, even for those whose faith is strong.
So, in this devotion, I’d like to take a close look at this beloved verse and unpack some of the great truths contained therein. Here’s what we will examine.
● Who wrote Isaiah 40:31 and when was it written?
● What is the context of Isaiah 40?
● What is the meaning of Isaiah 40:31?
● What does ‘those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength’ mean?
● What does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles?
● What does it mean they shall run and not be weary?
● What does it mean ‘they shall walk and not faint’ mean?
● How does Isaiah 40:31 give my life encouragement?
● How can I apply Isaiah 40:31 to my life?
● What is an Isaiah 40:31 prayer look like?
Who wrote Isaiah 40:31 and when was it written? \
Isaiah 40:31 was written by the Prophet Isaiah during the eighth century BC.
What is the context of Isaiah 40?
The context of Isaiah Chapter 40 is about the gospel and the coming of Christ, comfort for God’s people and the sovereign power of God. Life is warfare and not fun fare, but the warfare will not last. Our sins are pardoned in love through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s mercy was exercised.
The gospel and the coming of Christ can be seen in Isaiah 40:1-11. John the Baptist was the pathfinder, preparing the way before the coming of Christ. The good news of the coming of the Lord is to be proclaimed across the ends of the earth, where the glory of the Lord shall be revealed for all to see.
Verse 12- 17 of the same chapter talks about the sovereign power and strength of God. God made heaven His dwelling place and the earth His footstool.
The world as a whole is like a drop of water in a bucket. This increases God’s love for the world with such value with Him, yet He gave His only Son. Otherwise, we all would have perished forever.
The foolishness of idolatry was seen in Verse 18-26. Whatever we adore, love, fear, or make equal with or above God, such things have become the idols that we worship. Resources, time, and energy are spent on these things yet we complain about what is spent in the service of our God.
To demonstrate the greatness of God, Prophet Isaiah pleaded with all nations. God commands all creatures and the things created. God advises us to pay homage to the host of heavens because He created them. Whatever He says, He can perform.
Verse 27-31 talks about unbelief and distrust in God. We must guard against pride and unbelief. If we proceed in our own understanding, we shall utterly fall and fail but if we trust completely in God, we will rise above difficulties and be empowered to win the prize that is set before us.
How can we best understand the meaning of Isaiah 40:31?
Isaiah 40:31 is about trusting in the inexhaustible strength and power of God. God’s promises are irreversible. They are “yea and amen”. It has been tried seven times in fire, they will surely deliver. Sometimes in life, the strongest of people are faced with challenges that make them become faint and weary because they depend on their abilities. The Lord know that in my life, especially these past eight years, that while I have claimed the promises from this mighty verse, – I have also struggled with the “waiting.”
It is only the power from above that can deliver us. The challenges of life do not have a timetable; it can show up at any time. I have done my best to share this timeless truth with many a struggling prisoner who so often pours his heart before the Lord, saying, – “How long, O Lord, – how much longer must I wait.”
As I write this, I immediately think of a dear brother in Christ, - Gilbert, who I first met at Folsom Prison in 2015. At that time he had been in prison for 15 years. As I got to know him, and heard every detail of his case, something struck me and from that day until present day, I have believed his story of an unjust incarceration, believing that he has been in prison for a crime he never committed. You might think we’re talking about a murderer, a rapist, robber, burglar, or like 95% of the men in prison – someone who was in the drug trade – possessing or distributing.
You’d be wrong if you were thinking anything like that. What I’m about to tell you, is nothing short of unbelievable, and something you will have never heard of, when you think of someone who’s incarcerated. In 1998, my dear friend was given a sentence of 66-life for “practicing Dentistry without a license.” Yes, you heard me right. Sounds like something not possible, but it happened. The whole story is too long to go into, but the Cliff Notes version is pretty simple. When you hear this story, you will see how it brings new meaning to “waiting on the Lord.”
Gilbert was a honorable, hard working businessman, who thru great talent and ability built up three Dental clinics in the greater Los Angeles area, providing needed dentistry at affordable rates to those who would not normally be able to afford a dental visit. A young 21-year-old lady, on a referral, walked into Gilbert’s main clinic, needing help. Every one of her teeth were either cracked or broken – a sign of Meth use. After the usual X-rays, Gilbert told her that due the extreme infection in her mouth that he was not able to help her, and would have to refer her out to a specialist, which he did.
The rest of this story can hardly be believed, but it happened. She was so upset that she couldn’t get treatment from his clinic, that after a week or so, she actually went to the authorities, and concocted a fabrication, telling authorities that Gilbert took her into a back room, gave her some kind of drug, and performed a procedure on her, which greatly damaged her mouth. How the authorities could believe her still remains a mystery to this day, but they did, and this eventually went to court.
Without a shred of evidence, the Judge believed every word out of this young ladies mouth, and nothing that Gilbert had said. Gilbert had a worthless attorney, who never called a single witness. It was just his version vs. hers. When it was all over, the Judge handed down the most egregious sentence I, or anyone else has ever heard of.
Believe it or not, by friend Gilbert is entering his 24th year or incarceration. His faith has remained strong, and he has never let the “root of bitterness” sink in.
Twenty years after this incident, Gilbert received a letter from the lady who brought these false charges. She wrote to him at Folsom Prison. She is now forty something, and could not believe Gilbert was still in prison. She could no longer live with her conscience, and spent the next 4 pages, recanting her testimony, saying that the main charge that gave him the lengthy sentence - “Serious Bodily Injury” - should be dropped, and she openly stated that she was high on drugs and that she already had the infection in her mouth before she ever came to the clinic.
I wish this was a shorter story to tell, but after this I’m asking that everyone reading this will keep Gilbert in prayer, as he is still in prison. Gilbert finally won on appeal and he went back to court for an 41170 hearing, which in most cases means that a defendant is being resentenced, and will be released. The Judge dropped the Serious Bodily Injury, but he ignored the letter from the LA District Attorney who did a thorough of Gilbert’s case, and said that because of time served, should hereby be “immediately released”
In spite of all the evidence, which the DA recognized, this Judge dropped the one serious strike, but resentenced him to 25 to life, saying that he could now go to the board. Bottom line - Gilbert has a new appeal and his been granted an attorney by the court. We are confident that by the end of the year, her will be a free man.
Tell me this - how does Gilbert get those 24 years back - always seeing his children from a prison visit room, and meeting his grandchildren for the first time?
I’ll conclude this, but I hope you see how in one believer’s life, -- Isaiah 40:31 gives new meaning to “waiting on the Lord.”
So, this is the more reason we must trust and have confidence in God. John 3:31 says “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” We have no power of our own nor can our strength save us.
2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
No one can be victorious in their own knowledge without patiently waiting on the Lord for their deliverance, breakthrough, provision, healing, etc.
What does ‘those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength’ mean?
This means resting in God by allowing Him to take charge, believing that He is sufficient and powerful. Those who trust in Him must be strong in faith to contend with their foes or trials to triumph. When we wait and trust in God, He will grant us the courage to overcome obstacles and He will give us His strength in place of our weakness.
God will grant all we need at His appointed time and we will be lifted up in His strength to receive peace in this world and that, which is to come.
To become what God wants you to be, you must go through the waiting process. God’s timing is not like ours. He is not limited by time but the creator of time. The scripture says in II Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
If we don’t wait on God and run ahead, our energy will be exhausted and we will become weary. We will also be signing up for frustration and failure. However, waiting on the Lord sometimes might be tiring because we feel others have left us behind. This should not be thought of. Instead, our focus must be on the One who holds our future and we must be sensitive to His voice to hear what He will say to us.
Whenever we wait upon Him, our strength will be renewed according to His word. God restores and replenishes us when we wait on Him. It’s like recharging our low battery phones.
Psalm 121:4 states that “behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” This is the God we serve, He neither faints neither is He weary. This is the reason He will renew our strength without fail. Wait faithfully on God and don’t lose hope and your strength will be renewed day by day.
What does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles?
What does it mean to ‘mount up with wings like eagles’? Isaiah tells us means every child of God will be lifted and sustained by His Spirit? They will be high flyers like an eagle. This is what we ought to be. We are to fly above every mountain, obstacle, and challenge just like an eagle. An eagle is a bird that can go above 30,000 feet above sea level. Can you imagine an eagle flying as high as our largest jumbo-jets.
It travels as far as an airplane. When an enemy chases an eagle, it heads towards the sun. As it does this, whatever enemy pursuing it runs back. In the same way, when we mount up with wings like an eagle, whatever is chasing us will be destroyed.
An eagle’s eyes are eight times sharper than that of a man, when you put your confidence in God, your spiritual eyes will be sharp as you mount up wings as an eagle. The eagle does not run from the storm, it uses the storm to lift itself higher. When we are faced with trials or temptations, we must rise above them by positioning our beliefs and minds above them.
What does it mean they shall run and not be weary?
‘They shall run and not be weary’ means those who wait on the Lord will enjoy renewed strength in difficult times. They will be strong and elevated. The Lord will sustain and uphold them. Isaiah 12: 2 says, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” They will not be drowned or overcome by their challenges but will be energized to walk through them and come out triumphantly. God will always provide courage, power, and strength to the weary when they are prepared to wait patiently on Him. Do not lose hope!
What does it mean ‘they shall walk and not faint’ mean?
‘They shall walk and not faint’ is about the promise of supernatural strength to God’s people whenever required. No matter what we might be passing through, we must be reminded of God’s promises to us. God is a covenant-keeping God; He will not go back on His words.
Isaiah 40:29 mentions that “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” His grace is sufficient for us and our strength is renewed when we trust in Him.
What is the difference in biblical translations of Isaiah 40:31 NKJV, NIV & ESV & others.
You can see that the different translations bring this great illustration and metaphors to light in a little different way, but they all end up meaning the same thing.
How does Isaiah 40:31 give me encouragement?
Isaiah 40:31 encourages me that I am not alone in whatever difficult situation I find myself or that may come my way. God is with me and in me all the way, and not only that, He will give me supernatural strength to be able to overcome the stress and circumstances surrounding me when I trust in Him. No matter how extreme the circumstances, God makes a way when we wait on him, just as He has done for my dear friend Gilbert. It would be a blessing if anyone reading this could send back s short message, -- “I’m praying for Gilbert.” I promise to keep you posted when we have a breakthrough.
For His Word says He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). When we feel anxious, weary, or tired, God has promised to be there for us because He is a covenant-keeping God who will surely bring His words to pass.
How can I apply Isaiah 40:31 to my life?
Isaiah 40:31 can be applied to your life during difficult times by waiting on the Lord in faith in spite of the hardship, during pestilence or time of war. This might not be easy but it’s surely the best way. God who is our creator knows that we will pass through difficult times so He has promised that He will be with us and knows exactly what to do.
Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
When you wait on the Lord, you will struggle less and watch how God will lift you upward above every situation effortlessly. You will walk and not be weary, run and not faint because he renews your strength. As your strength is been renewed, you will excel on every side.
Have faith in God and watch Him honoring His word in your life. If you are weary or fainting in difficult times, trust Him, believe in Him, and be of good courage.
In your waiting period, you must be patient and quiet for God to deliver His promises. Sometimes, when you don’t get an answer immediately, you tend to say God is slow or there is no God.
This eagerness makes one be frustrated looking for miracles or solutions elsewhere. Forgetting that our spiritual fathers in the bible like Job, David, and Abraham. These great servants of God waited and held on until their desires came even though they had problems. They held on to their faith even when it seemed impossible and pointless.
Psalm 84:11 tells us that “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” If your desire is good, God will surely give it to you at the set time. He will not withhold any blessing from you.
For instance, it was good for Abraham to be a father and have a son but He and Sarah were barren. It will also be a wonderful thing when Christ returns but people must first be saved. Until then, we are admonished to wait patiently.
Another way we can also survive waiting on the Lord is to be fully dependent on God. We must be totally dependent on Him. Just like Paul in II Corinthians 12:7-10 which says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul was almost killed. He was almost stoned to death, put in prison, suffered shipwreck all for the sake of the Gospel. He entreated God three times that all the sufferings be taken away but God never removed them. However, while Paul was waiting for his liberty, he depended on the manifold grace of God.
He threw the entire weight of his sufferings on God’s grace and strength. We should do the same by throwing ourselves on God, waiting dependently on Him. We will end up frustrated, dejected, and hopeless if we don’t. We must rely on His power and strength and not our own understanding.
An Isaiah 40:31 prayer
Gracious Father, I magnify Your Holy name and exalt Your majesty. I pray that my faith in You increases from day to day. I stand before You so that my strength, heart, soul, and mind will be renewed. Give me the strength to walk the difficult and narrow paths of life because I can’t do it alone. By Your Spirit, help me to run the race that is set before me with endurance and absolute dependency on You so that I can win the prize. This I pray in Christ's name. AMEN
Conclusion
When we rely on our strength and capabilities, we will be setting ourselves up for failure, frustration, and disappointment. God’s strength will sustain those who do not depend on their own abilities. As believers or servants of God, we must trust in God’s abilities all through the journey of life because His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It is through His strength we can be relieved of our burdens and soar on eagle's wings.
The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand forever. When trying times comes, it takes those who depend and trust in Him to keep walking and not faint. Brethren, believe and hold on to God, you will never be weary nor forgotten because He is nigh you.
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith & Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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