In Isaiah 40 : 28-31, we read that the Lord, the creator of the universe, doesn’t ‘grow tired or weary’ and also that ‘He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak’. The new strength and power is promised to those who ‘wait for the Lord’ or ‘wait upon the Lord’. A mysterious phrase and a promise we often claim in a weary moment.
‘Waiting on the Lord’ is not like my childhood memory of waiting for a bus to get to school, hoping it will come but knowing that it might not. This verse has an air of certainty in it, a promise for us from our loving heavenly Father who, we are told, verse 28, not only doesn’t get weary, but He also has understanding beyond anything we can imagine.
The encouragement to those who ‘wait upon the Lord’ is that their strength will be renewed or exchanged (AMP). The verse then goes on to talk of them mounting up on wings like eagles. A beautiful analogy that is worthy of further consideration.
The eagle, like any bird of prey, likes to nest or perch high on a cliff so that it can ‘wait’ to catch a thermal. It will then launch out and soar effortlessly on outstretched wings, to hunt for prey. The eagle will ride that thermal, gaining height, without needing to flap its wings. It will keep its eyes on the sun, and, should it see a storm or turbulence ahead, it will soar above the storm, rather than exhaust itself flying through it.
So how does ‘waiting on the Lord’ help us to ‘mount up on wings like an eagle’? Well thanksgiving is not written into these verses, but I do believe it is a key for us, in grasping the art of ‘waiting on the Lord’. It can therefore also be a fundamental part of the ‘exchange or renewal of strength’ that we are needing when we are feeling worn down and weary.
Waiting on the Lord has that sense of stopping and giving Him our full attention. When we are weary it is time to take some time, sit back, take a deep breath, ‘spread our spiritual wings’ and catch the thermal of Gods’ love. I believe giving thanks to the Lord; that He is with us, that He is close, that He understands, that He cares, causes us to stop, and turn our eyes onto Jesus. It’s a good way for us to start to ‘spread our wings’.
Stopping to thank Him in this way is like lifting our eyes to our ‘Son’. Remembering His steadfast love that never ceases, helps us to catch the thermals of Gods’ love, just like the eagle rising as it gazes at the sun. As we look at Father Son and Holy Spirit, and their amazing care and love for us, as we slow ourselves down with thanksgiving, taking time to drink it all in, our spirit will rise and be refreshed. Energy and strength are renewed.
We know that weariness is not always just physical, it can be emotional and spiritual too. Waiting on the Lord can help body, mind and Spirit. The Holy Spirit is interested in replenishing us in all three areas. The main thing we must learn to do is ignore the enemy. He will tell us, “You don’t have time for this”, “You don’t have the time or energy to ‘wait’ on God”. Since he is the father of lies we can be sure that the opposite is true. We can’t afford not to. We must learn to ‘wait on our God’, by turning our hearts to Him in thanksgiving, catching His thermals of love, and finding our strength is renewed.
