Introduction: Take time to “WAIT”! That is hard to do, isn’t it? Yes. Take time to “Wait” upon the Lord! Are you “Waiting” upon the Lord Jesus? What does the word “Wait” mean? According to a secular source, the Merriam dictionary, the word “WAIT” means “to stay in place in expectation of….To delay, To look forward expectantly.”

1. The Hebrew word for “wait”  is קָוָה (kaw-vaw’), which means to wait for.

Is it difficult for you to “WAIT”? Being Impatient is one reason for not “waiting”! Hurry up and “wait”! Aren’t you glad our Lord is not in a hurry? Being self-dependent and self-sufficient is another reason for not “waiting.” It seems like most people (unless retired- & some then) are so busy throughout the day with a frenzy of activities. Some good. Some not so good. But as a follower of Jesus Christ, we must take TIME to “WAIT,” upon the Lord.

Why? To renew our strength!

Because of their disobedience, Isaiah was writing to Israel, namely Judah, to pronounce God’s chastisement, but at the same time to announce the Lord’s promise of restoration. They, like us (even though the Church does not replace Israel), must learn the art of “waiting”!

“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.” (Isa 40:31)

The flesh must be disciplined. 

2. The word “renew” is חָלַף : (khaw-laf’), which means to pass on or away, pass through. 

Notice to “renew” means to pass on. Interesting. If we “renew” our strength through “waiting” upon the Lord, we can “pass on,” or “pass through.” Apply that to your present day circumstance.

The bottom line:

No matter what we face, if we “wait” we can pass through, instead of being “STUCK”!

Stuck…

• in fear
• in worry 
• with headaches
• in insecurity
• with no purpose
• with guilt
• angry and bitter
• with no hope

Praise the Lord! We are passing through. Be patient. 

3. The word “strength” means might, ability.

4. The word “weary” means to toil or grow weary.

5. The word “faint” means to be weary. 

Did you notice in the verse preceding our verse (Isa 40:31 [see Isa 40:29]), the Lord reminds us through Isaiah, the prophet, that even young men get tired and weary?

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.”

Conclusion: Since our God has limitless energy and power, it is wise for us to exchange our finite strength for His. Do you feel tired?

“28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” (Isa 40:28-29)

Will you take some time today to “WAIT” upon the Lord, and renew your strength?

We will be glad we did it!