Isa 40:31

Isa 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40 is a beautiful chapter. It speaks about the coming of the Messiah. It also speaks about the greatness of God: “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding” (v.28). Can men weary God with their many petitions? Is there anything that men ask that will take too much time and effort of God that He grows weary? I believe you know the answer. Young and energetic men will get tired but not God: “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” (v.30, ESV). Only one kind of persons will not get tired; who are they? “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (v.31). I love eagles; they are my favourite birds. They are such fantastic birds. They are symbols of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination, leadership, and grace. Isaiah says those who wait upon the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles. What is so special about eagles’ wings? Eagles are born with big and heavy wings. Try fanning a fire with two big fans in your hands. Your hands will get tired. Eagles will have a problem flying if they have to constantly flap their big and heavy wings. So God designed eagles to be able to soar without actually flapping their big wings. To soar is to fly or rise high in the air. God takes care of the eagles. Eagles’ flight reaches up to the clouds. Hence, we are afraid. We want to fly low like doves or sparrows. We want to stay where we feel comfortable and secure. But God wants us to soar. He provides the air currents for the eagles to soar. He has provided tools for us to soar. First, God provides us His inspired word that we can study and grow in faith: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Second, He provides us the avenue of prayers so that we can go to Him when we need help: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). Third, He gives us a family to help and encourage us: “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:35, 36). Fourth, God gives us Christ. Our Saviour will care of us like a good shepherd because He is the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). With Christ, our strength will always be renewed: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Isaiah 40:31 is telling us to trust in God and wait faithfully for Him. God, in His infinite grace and love, will provide power, strength, and courage to the weary, weak, and downtrodden. He will cause them to soar like eagles. See how an eagle flies effortlessly in the sky without having to flap its wings? When we have complete trust in God, we just need to open out our wings; God will provide the wind current to carry us: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).