Waiting on God

When I began to plan our current preaching series, my initial thought was that it would be good for us to spend some time exploring a Biblical narrative. We’ve done a lot of teaching on themes within the Bible during lockdown and that’s been good, but I wanted to take a text and dive into it.

What we’ve seen in this series so far (and we’ll continue to see it this coming weekend as Daniel shares with us) is God speaking to us about waiting on Him. I suppose this shouldn’t be a surprise when we’re looking at the life of Abram who famously waited for God to fulfil a promise that took decades!

The verse which often comes up in reference to waiting is one which I shared in my talk on Sunday and which God brought to someone during our gathering on the previous Sunday evening, and which God had reminded me of the week before.

Those who wait for 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)

When I was reminded of this verse the other week it was while I was worshipping in my study. Since we’re wanting to encourage people to explore art as a form of worship, I decided to draw a picture to represent the verse. You can see it below.

So what might the Lord be wanting to say to us? It may be helpful to read the verses prior to this one as well.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
 the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
 his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
 and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
 and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for 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 40:28-31)

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected us all in a lot of different ways. I do not believe that God caused the pandemic, but I’m convinced that He is wanting to use it to shape Christ in us in a new way. Our old habits and traditions have had to stop – or at least go on pause – and we’ve learnt new skills and values. 

Through all the struggles of this time, God has been present and active in our lives. He does not faint or grow weary. As we wait on Him, He fills us with Himself – His power, His presence, His love – and enables us in the strength that He gives us to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.

However you’re doing right now, let me encourage you to wait on the Lord so that He will renew your strength. Restrictions may ease for us in just a few short weeks. If we are to be ready to move forward into this new freedom, we will need renewed strength.