What does it mean to "renew their strength" through faith in God? Anchor Verse: Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Setting the Scene in Isaiah 40 • The chapter opens with God’s word of comfort to a weary, exiled people. • Verse 28 underscores His limitless power: “The everlasting God… does not grow weary.” • Against that backdrop, verse 31 shows how finite believers draw directly from His endless reservoir. The Hebrew Picture of “Renew” • The verb “renew” (ḥālap̱) carries the idea of exchange—trading one thing for another. • The promise is not merely refreshed feelings but a literal swap: human weakness for divine vigor. • Scripture echoes the same dynamic elsewhere: “He satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). What Scripture Means by “Strength” • Physical stamina—“run… walk” (Isaiah 40:31). • Emotional resilience—“do not lose heart” (2 Colossians 4:16). • Moral courage—“Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). • Spiritual vitality—“The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). How Faith Activates Renewal • Confidence in God’s character: He is eternal, so His strength is inexhaustible (Isaiah 40:28). • Submission to God’s timetable: waiting is not idleness but surrendered expectancy. • Reliance on the finished work of Christ: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). • Dependence on the Spirit’s ongoing ministry: “strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). Practicing the Waiting that Renews • Daily Scripture intake—feeding on truth engages the “living and active” word (Hebrews 4:12). • Consistent prayer—pouring out weakness and receiving help (Hebrews 4:16). • Regular Sabbath rhythm—resting from self-effort reminds the soul that God works while believers rest (Exodus 20:8-11). • Fellowship with believers—mutual encouragement “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). • Obedient action—stepping forward in faith allows God to supply moment-by-moment strength (Js 1:22). God’s Promised Outcomes • Upward lift—“mount up with wings like eagles”: vision rises above circumstances. • Sustained momentum—“run and not grow weary”: long-distance endurance for life’s marathons. • Steady perseverance—“walk and not faint”: grace for ordinary, everyday obedience. Living Out Renewed Strength • Start each day exchanging weakness for His might—affirming verses such as Lamentations 3:22-23. • Acknowledge dependency through the day; whispered reliance keeps the “everlasting arms” underneath (Deuteronomy 33:27). • End the day recounting evidence of His strength—“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). The promise is clear: those who keep trusting, waiting, and leaning on the Lord experience a continual, tangible transfer of His power into their daily lives—strength that does not falter because its source never does. |
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