May 29, Waiting – Wings of Eagles
They that wait upon the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31
Of all the Scriptures that address the idea of waiting upon the Lord, this verse seems to be for many the ultimate watchword for the Biblical understanding of “waiting.” But, before unpacking the incredible treasures of this one verse, the preceding verses call for our attention.
The context, beginning with verse 27, represents a straightforward questioning of Israel’s faith (from the larger context of the many questions asked throughout chapter 40). This divine accountability of God voiced through His prophet asks,
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by God my God?’
All that Israel had known and heard up to this point in her history was most certainly sufficient to silence her fears and distrusts. Therefore, God reminded Israel that what He had begun in them by way of His covenant would most assuredly be perfected.
Following these questions of confrontation come questions of inspiration from verse 28 (which represents the sentiment of the whole of chapter 40):
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
The former questions held Israel accountable to her relationship of faith with Jehovah. The latter questions inspired Israel with reminders of God’s very identity: He is creator and sustainer of everything, the One who never tires. And His wisdom goes beyond any human understanding. Therefore, the very essence of God’s identity proves that nothing escapes His notice – most assuredly, then, His own children would not. And His ways never err and can be fully trusted.
The prophet then followed with emphasis upon God’s benevolence (verse 29). Not only is His strength perfect in and of Himself, but
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Our God is indeed a God who gives. When in distress, one must look quickly to the nature of God to be assured in faith. And, God’s love is a benevolent love, for He gives. In His giving He proves His complete awareness of and involvement with His own. Not only does God “not faint,” but He graciously gives His strength to those who do.
In verse 30, God’s message for His own involved an emphatic contrast between those who would be considered in their own strength most likely to succeed: the youthful (literally, those picked out for an enterprise on account of their youthful vigor).[1] Nonetheless, even those of their prime will at some point grow weary, and in their supposed perfect strength will nonetheless prove human as they become vulnerable to stumbling and falling. But spiritually, those who would be the epitome of weakness and weariness can rise and soar. Matthew Henry summarized of this truth, “in the strength of divine grace, their souls shall ascend above the world.”[2]
You may feel weary and tired. These present days can cause discouragement. But, in such weary and woeful times, there becomes something more of faith than merely surviving. Faith can actually soar. Therefore, the message of God for His children turned to the beloved and familiar example: the wings of eagles.
They that wait upon the Lord will have their strength renewed like that of an eagle (verse 31). Why an eagle? Below are but two of the many reasons why this imagery brings such a powerful message to the weary.
Renewed. Thoughts upon the imagery of an eagle references the process of renewed strength, as the eagle would molt and renew its feathers (even in old age), and in this process would renew the strength of flight. True faith knows no weariness, and therefore the heart of the child of God must be renewed back to their orientation of faith in God. This becomes reality as we wait upon the Lord.
Rising Above. In the ancient Hebrew culture, the eagle represented strength and courage, even in turbulent weather (soaring above clouds of storm). In Exodus 19:4, God reminded His children of their deliverance from Egyptian captivity as He carried them “on eagles wings.” This timeless imagery references one rising by faith above present difficulties through the strength of God.
Biblical waiting - prayerfully trusting, serving, and leaning forward with anticipation of God’s perfect will and way, both renews your present posture of faith, and allows you to rise above the debilitating effects of difficult moments. This in no way ignores difficulties, but rather puts all problems in their right place, as the person of faith mounts up above the weariness in the perfect strength of God. So, do not say as Israel said, "that your way is hidden from God." Do not say that "God has ignored your present moment." He is here. He is very present. And genuinely trusting in this simple fact raises you above the situation to the strength of God.
So today, do not become settled with weariness. Allow your faith in God, which is as real as the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to posture your soul in His strength. Mount up as wings of eagles.
As you wait upon the Lord, take flight. This is indeed the reality of genuine faith.
Blessings.
READ
Read Isaiah 40:27-31 and be encouraged to mount up on wings of eagles.
[1] Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1871.
[2] Matthew Henry, Commentary on Isaiah, 1706.