Life Ministries

“Renewed Strength”

Isaiah 40:31

    This verse has a special meaning to me personally, because I have a thing about eagles. I am a collector of sorts, of eagle pariphinalia. In my office I have a collection of eagle statuettes, eagle plaques, eagle pictur-es, and I have a collection of eagle plates that will become valuable some day…perhaps to my grandchildren. Many of these things I have received as gifts, so they have a special meaning to me…but the greatest thing for me is that they serve to remind me of this verse.

    In Wisconsin several years ago, the department of Natural Resources started several programs to attempt to bring back a dwindling population of bald eagles. As a result of the effort, we now have more beautiful, white headed Bald eagles in Wisconsin than ever before. God often uses the eagle as an example of spiritual enthusiasm, freedom, and power. Sometimes when I need a boost I imagine God saying to me; “Come on Fred, you can do better! Give it your best! You are an eagle!”  There is something special about an eagle. They have so many qualities and special traits that cause them to stand out from all other birds. I can’t think of anything to better symbolize our country or God’s people than the eagle.
    But, my purpose was not to talk about eagles, but to teach about the significance of this verse of scripture.
Let’s start at the beginning; “They that wait upon the Lord”;
If you look at this verse closer, you will see the word “they” four times in print - and one time in magical disappearing ink that is only visible to left handed people with curly hair… It’s right before “shall renew their strength”…
1. THEY that wait upon the Lord;
2. THEY shall renew their strength;
3. THEY shall mount up with wings like eagles;
4. THEY shall run
5. THEY shall walk

The first “they” is “They that wait upon the Lord”; This “they” is everyone or “all” or “whosoever.”

Some biblical examples of waiting upon the lord:
a.Abraham and Sarah (for Isaac … well, kind of…)
b. Noah (for the flood - and subsiding waters)
c. Joseph (for his "time" in prison and his time in power.)
d. Jesus (for the "time to be fulfilled" by the father.)
e. Mary and Martha (for Jesus to arrive when Lazrus died.
f. the disciples (for the promised Holy Spirit)
g. all believers (awaiting his return)

In each case they  - 1. knew god’s promises; 2. rested in god’s character; 3. relied and trusted upon his love and in each case, it was worth the wait!!

Our problems come when we try to do life in our own strength and power and knowledge or minute wisdom ….rather than “wait” on God.

The second “they” is “They shall renew their strength”.  When we get tired in life, when our lives are filled with stress, when we tend to have more questions than answers, it’s usually because, again, we are trying to do it on our own. God not only will give us His direction and desires for our life, He will also give us or enable us to do it. He will renew our strength.
    This all, of course, begins with and involves prayer. Not just a simple prayer of “God, show me” but, the kind of prayer that is intimate, one to one, face to face, talking and listening prayer. Telling God exactly where you are at; what you are feeling; what you think your needs are; offering to accept His direction; and then listening with your “ears” your “eyes” and your “heart”…And then most of all, “waiting” upon God to answer. By the way, you can’t hear God if your mouth is moving all the time….
The third “they” is “They shall mount up with wings as eagles”. I call these the people who “soar”! … Let’s call them the young…or in some cases “the young at heart”!  They seem to have all the energy in the world, and when they sense God’s direction, they take off…varoom!… and they don’t let their feet touch the ground. They pour all their energy, knowledge and might into what God calls them to do.  But, even youth has it’s limits. If they learn what it means to “wait upon the Lord” He will keep them renewed…if not, they will soon “burn out”.
The fourth “they” we will call the “runners”.  They may not have the time or the energy to soar, but they can run…And, God says that we can “run, and not be weary”. We may envy the vitality and energy of the younger folks, and we may be a bit slower, but we have learned that patience and a steady pace and consist-ency get the job done. When we need a rest, we just slow down a bit, but we keep running…because we can’t stop. Runners must complete the race, or they feel they have failed.  And, if runners “wait upon the Lord”, He will constantly and consistently renew their strength.
Finally, the last “they” are the “walkers”…  Let’s call them the “Elders”. They are God’s source, and our source of wisdom; knowledge; experience; and encouragement. No longer of any use?  No, the Elders are the foundation; the pillars; the backbone of the church. Maybe the “walkers” are there to keep us from soaring too high, too fast, and getting out of control.  Hopefully, they are not there to stifle or discourage God’s work, but sometimes when you run too fast, you can fall down and skin your knees!  They are also there for those times when our wings get a little weakened, and our legs a little weary, and they come along side and whisper “They that wait upon the Lord….”
    Let me close with this thought; There is a big difference between living an active life and living a purposeful life…. Activity without purpose is aimless and meaningless and can even be chaos… But, when those who “soar” and those who “run” and those who “walk” all come together in unity under God’s direction and leadership, there’s no telling what God could do!