One of the most famous promises in all the Bible is Isaiah 40:31. "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). It's an amazing verse by itself. But it packs more power in it's context.
So, what is the context? Isaiah 40:31 ends a paragraph that starts with verse 27. If you miss verse 27 and everything in between it and verse 31, you'll miss seeing and hearing verse 31 in high def and surround sound.
Verse 27 articulates the doubts we often have because of our fallen condition and because of the troubles we face in this fallen world. "Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? (Isaiah 40:27). In Isaiah's day, the people of God [Jacob/Israel] were just about to be conquered and deported. Enemies were coming closer. They felt like God didn't see their plight. They felt like God was not defending their rights.
Today, we say the same kinds of things this way: "God isn't looking at me with His favor any more. He's not noticing me like He used to. He defends the rights of everybody but me. He disregards my cry for justice."
Sound familiar? I bet you've said that same stuff, too. God's people have felt this way and said these things for a long time. It's normal for fallen people in a fallen world. This is why we feel weak and tired. We want to quit. It's normal.
But God hasn't called us to normal. He's called us to live super-normal lives. So, how can we love supernaturally? When we want to quit because we feel like God's not looking out for us and because He's not bringing justice our way, the Lord simply and strongly reminds us of who He is.
1. He is eternal. "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God..." (Isaiah 40:28a).
2. He is maker. "[The LORD is] the Creator of the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40:28b).
3. He is omnipotent. "He does not faint or grow weary" (Isaiah 40:28c).
4. He is omniscient. "His understanding is unsearchable" (Isaiah 40:28d).
5. He is generous. "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29).
Now, apply these truths about God to the doubts of verse 27.
It's impossible for your ways to be hidden because He is omniscient. His understanding about your situations and challenges is unsearchable. God is looking at you and noticing you.
And it's impossible for God to disregard your rights because He is generous. His power is available the faint - the weak and the oppressed. God is going to come through with increased strength for you.
So, what do you do when you want to quit because you feel like God's not looking out for you and because He's not bringing justice your way?
We are now ready for verse 31.
You wait. In His way and in His time, He will act in your behalf. Waiting isn't just passive. It's active. You read, meditate, pray, yearn, connect, hope, expect. Eventually, God will do for you in a matter of moments what it would take you weeks, months, years, or decades to accomplish.
Wait on the Lord. Even when it feels like God is not looking out for you. Wait on the Lord. Even when it feels like God is not bringing justice your way.
He will give you strength. "They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31a).
He will make you soar. "They shall mount up with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31b).
He will grant you stamina. "They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31b).
No wonder the Lord is worthy of our love and worship.
Question: How do you encourage yourself when you feel God is not looking at you with favor?
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