“WAIT UPON THE LORD”

Many times, man thinks he is all powerful, and doesn’t need any external help, with his life. He surely sees and experiences, the struggles and the problems. He is not blind, nor is he dumb. Yet, man thinks, he is perfectly capable to solve his own problems, with his own intelligence. Sadly, what the man of the world is not realising, and is unable to see is, the world is on a downward spiral, and he doesn’t have strength to stop it, nor a solution to rectify the situation. All his efforts thus far, to stop and rectify the problems plaguing the world have failed. We are like a ship on high seas, whose sails, its oars, its rudder and the anchor, are all broken, beyond repair, and the shore is nowhere in sight.

The words of prophet Isaiah, from Isaiah 40:30-31, gives us the much needed hope, that can help us sail to safety. The LORD inspired His prophet to write down for our benefit, the reality of man, and his finite strength. Then the LORD gives us the only solution that is available to man, and the world.
– “30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:30-31

When we observe the above two verses, we see seven lessons, for our welfare, and our well-being.
1- EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY
Young people are the most strongest, swiftest and sharpest among all of us. The Bible asserts with unequivocal clarity that, “EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY” and become weary. Human strength, in all its glory, does not stand in good stead to help us. This is the reality of life.

2- THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL
The Word of God goes on to state, the reality of the strength, vitality, and the vigour, of youth. It is a reality check, which hits us, like a bolt from the blue. It amounts to nothing, because “THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.” Despite their immense strength, speed and sharpness, the young people will fail. It is so because, the problems that we face are such. It is beyond human ability and capacity, to solve them.

3- BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD
The secret to our success, and our stability, is found not in human strength, swiftness and sharpness. It is found in “THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD.” Waiting is much more than being patient. It, first and foremost includes, trust and faith in the LORD, and His ability to help us, in our struggles, and solve it, in the best possible way, for our welfare, and our well-being. Waiting upon the LORD, is the key, to a successful life.

4- SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH
When we wait on the LORD – the God of all creation, the Almighty God – our strength, which is inadequate and insufficient, will be renewed – “SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH.” We will be endued with strength that we never have experienced, not possessed. This is possible, only when we wait upon the LORD.

5- THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES
The wonder of this strength, that is poured out upon us, from heaven is, it will give us strength, to fly like eagles – “THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES.” Eagles don’t fly low. They soar high in the sky, over and above the clouds. For such is the power of an eagle – it can see even the tiniest of object, from such a height; can swoop in an instant upon its prey; and pick it up with its immense strength, things which are heavier that itself. This is possible, only when we wait upon the LORD.

6- THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY
The ability to face any problem, and to fight it, requires immense strength. This strength is seen in our capacity, to not get tired, while fighting our enemies. This ability is aptly compared to a runner, who does not get weary – “THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY.” The most important requirement for a runner is, for him not to get tired and weary. This is possible, only when we wait upon the LORD.

7- THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT
Whether one runs or walks, we would need huge amounts of strength. The strength, that is talked about here, is multi-dimensional in its outlook. This strength consists of – Mental, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional, dimensions. The enemy one faces in life requires, strength in all the above dimensions. This is precisely what the Word of God declares – “THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.” This is possible, only when we wait upon the LORD.

Now to the critical aspect – How are we approaching life? What place does our LORD have in our lives? Are we trying to face life with our own strength? Do we rely only upon our ability, and our skill, to face life, and solve all its problems? Let us learn to with upon the LORD. He will take care of us, stand with us, and will fight along with us, in defeating all our enemies. Do we want to wait upon the LORD? Even so, the LORD help us.