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 40:31
Waiting is one of the hardest things we do. Not because nothing is happening, but because we're not sure anything ever will.
Isaiah 40 was written to a people in exile, people who had been waiting so long that hope had started to feel foolish. The whole chapter builds toward this verse, painting a picture of a God who never grows tired, never loses track of time, and never forgets who He made promises to. By the time we reach verse 31, the contrast is stark and intentional. Nations rise and fall, young men stumble and fall exhausted, but those who wait on the Lord? They find something they couldn't manufacture on their own.
The Hebrew word translated "wait" here carries the idea of twisting or braiding together, like a rope. It's not passive sitting. It's staying intertwined with God through the uncertainty, keeping the connection even when you don't feel it. That's a very different picture than white-knuckling it through a hard season alone.
Maybe you're in a waiting room right now. A job that hasn't come through. A relationship that hasn't healed. A prayer you've prayed so many times it feels worn out. This verse doesn't promise the wait will end today. But it does promise that staying close to God in the middle of it does something to you. Strength gets renewed. Endurance gets restored. You don't have to pretend you're fine. You just have to stay.
🙏 A Prayer for Today
Lord, waiting is hard. Some of us are exhausted by seasons that feel like they have no end in sight. Thank You that Your faithfulness doesn't depend on our patience holding up perfectly. Renew our strength today. Help us stay braided close to You, even when we're tired, even when we're discouraged. We trust that You are working in what we cannot yet see. Amen.
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