From the crescendo to a great poetic symphony (Isa 40) comes these words ” but they 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.” v31. Isaiah 40 is the first chapter in the grand Messianic poem that spans the next 26 chapters.

The context of v31 is that God’s people had been overwhelmed by the Babylonians. Isaiah held out hope of a restoration. They were enslaved to their circumstances and tempted to give up “to faint.” (v30). Their situation may have looked impossible but read v28. The prophet assured them God was able to come through for them and was able to strengthen them. They should “wait for the Lord.”v31. They were asked to have an expectant and confident trust in God and His promise. He knows and has heard our situation and will come through. The prophet is saying God gives strength to those who look to Him.

God did come through for them! God raised up another nation which took over and released the Israelites to go to their home. The promise was fulfilled, they were returned to their land, and God worked out his purpose for them.

We all go through difficulties. This life is full of overwhelming trials and God doesn’t just step in and take them all away. We can become fearful and exhausted. So, listen to Isaiah! God is able to come through for us.

We may be overwhelmed by our circumstances, but God is not. Read v28 We also need to hear and know that the Lord can strengthen us. We too are to “wait for the Lord” – v31, knowing that he hears us and knows our situation. And we are to put our hope and trust in God and rely on him. And when we do this God gives us of his strength. Read v29

Through this strength he imparts we are empowered to move forward in our times of difficulty, because we hope in the Lord.
We can move forward, as v31 says.