Introduction

Good morning, beautiful church family!

Today we're going to be diving deep into one of my favorite passages in the book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31:

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

It's a verse that many of us have heard countless times, but today we're going to explore it in a new light, focusing on three powerful themes: the strength, the hope, and the joy of waiting on God.

As we prepare to delve into God's Word together, I'm reminded of a profound thought from A.W. Tozer, who once said, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One." This is what it means to truly wait on the Lord, my friends. To find our strength, our hope, and our joy in Him alone.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.

God, we thank you for today, for the opportunity to gather together and study Your word. As we dive into Isaiah 40:31, open our hearts to receive what You have to say to us. Help us understand the true strength, hope, and joy that come from waiting on You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Alright, are you ready to dive into this incredible verse together? Let's go!

The Strength

The strength of waiting on God is not merely about physical or mental strength, but a spiritual fortitude that is cultivated when we choose to wait on God's timing rather than our own. This strength is not something we can muster up ourselves, but it is a divine gift that is bestowed upon us when we surrender our plans, our desires, and our timelines to God.

An active process: It’s not a passive one. It involves prayer, seeking God's will, and being obedient to His commands. It's about trusting God's plan even when we can't see the bigger picture. It's about believing that God is working behind the scenes even when we can't see any visible progress. This kind of waiting requires strength, a strength that can only come from God.

The original Hebrew: The word for 'wait' used in Isaiah 40:31 is 'qavah', which means to bind together, to collect, to expect. It paints a picture of intertwining our lives with God's, of collecting our hopes and expectations and placing them in His hands. This act of waiting, of binding our lives with God's, gives us the strength to face whatever comes our way.

We’re not left idle or powerless: Instead, we are told that we will renew our strength. We will not just get by, but we will soar on wings like eagles. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not be faint. This is the strength that God promises to those who wait on Him. It's a strength that enables us to rise above our circumstances, to keep going when we feel like giving up, to stand firm when we feel like falling apart.

Strengthens our faith: It's easy to trust God when things are going well, when our prayers are being answered the way we want them to be. But when we're in the waiting season, when we're in the middle of the storm, that's when our faith is truly tested. And it's in these moments, when we choose to trust God despite the circumstances, that our faith grows stronger.

Not just for our benefit: It's also for the benefit of those around us. When we wait on God, when we trust in His timing, we become a living testimony of God's faithfulness. Our strength becomes a beacon of hope for others, a reminder that God is always in control, even when life feels chaotic.

A lifelong journey: It's a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and faith. But it's also a journey that brings us closer to God, that deepens our relationship with Him, that transforms us into the people He created us to be.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you had to wait on God and how it strengthened your faith and relationship with Him.

The Hope

The hope of waiting on God is not a wishful thinking or a blind optimism, but a confident expectation in God's promises, His character, and His faithfulness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO