They shall walk and not faint

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40-43

Isaiah 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.

The tune of Isaiah changes drastically at the beginning of chapter 40. Up to this point the prophet has been pronouncing judgment and impending calamity upon the nations. This will come, but it will not last! With the word of chastisement also comes the message of forgiveness and restoration for God's people!

We see this all throughout the Word of God. He says that he is a loving heavenly Father and he will not tolerate rebellion in the lives of his children. He will chastise us when we sin against him.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

However, when the chastisement is over, then comes the time of loving forgiveness and restoration. This is the promise of Isaiah to the people of Judah.

Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

The next words are the call of John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus!

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Judah was promised the chastening discipline of the Lord. Following that Judah was promised forgiveness and an end to her warfare. However, they would have to wait for it. So God tells them that if they would wait upon the Lord, they would mount up with wings as eagles. They would run and not grow weary. They would walk and not faint.

Waiting is hard, but it is worth it. We get in such a hurry. We like instant gratification. But God has promised that he will right every wrong. He will fix that which is broken. There is coming a new body and a new heaven and a new earth. A day is coming when there will be no more sin or suffering. He will wipe away the tears from every eye. It's not here yet, but if we will wait for him, we will fly like an eagle!

Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Hang in there! Trust Jesus and wait for him. It may seem like a long wait, but in light of the glorious eternity we have ahead of us, it will be but a twinkling of an eye when we look back.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

In Christ,
Rody