Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; and they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (NKJV)
One of the interesting studies today is about the end of the world which is quickly followed by the Second Coming of our Lord. Prophet Isaiah encouraged and commanded the faithful, some 700 years before the First Coming of the Lord, to wait on Him. The promised Messiah did come. Now, some 2000 years after His ascension we are waiting for the promised Second Coming. Isaiah’s encouragement rings true. Let’s make this ancient text relevant for us who are faithfully waiting for the the Second Coming today.
I believe this event will be the climax of the cosmic drama that began some 6, 000 years ago. Isaiah’s first imperative was to “renew their strength.” This expression alludes to reconditioning of the muscles by training and exercise. Constant use of the muscles will make it strong while the disuse will bring atrophy or the weakening of the muscles. Strength comes from straining the body. The next statement is communicated to us by means of a metaphor of an eagle about to fly. “They shall mount up with wings like eagles” alludes to the great strength of an adult eagle with wings. On Average the wings span of an eagles wings is about seven to eight feet. Usually the eagle’s nest are perched high above certain altitudes and the wind stream catapults their wings as they soar above the skies. Higher than the average birds can fly, the eagles can extend their wings and reach as high as 10, 000 feet above sea level. It tells us something why Isaiah uses the eagle as a metaphor of staying strong. When we “mount up our wings like eagles” simply reminds us of the way we are created. We are built to fly higher. God is the wind beneath our wings. So we can fix our feet firmly in the ground just like the eagles and soar. When we spread our wings we are ready to take off.
This is how we wait upon the Lord:
1. We are to exercise our faith daily through prayer and reading of His Holy Word.
2. We are to take the higher moral road and stay there. God is the wind beneath our wings.
Lastly, we are urged to run (endure) and not be weary. We can only run if we practice running everyday. We will not be weary if we are always ready with our provisions of water and other necessities which God will also provide. We will “walk” meaning “live our lives” and “not faint” the message is obvious enough-do not be discouraged and stay faithful.
Isaiah 41:10 anchors our message today, “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”