The Full Verse
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.
Context
Isaiah 40 opens the second major section of Isaiah's prophecy, shifting from judgment to comfort. The chapter begins with the famous words "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people" and proceeds to describe the incomparable greatness and power of God. The nations are like drops in a bucket before Him; He measures the heavens with the span of His hand. Verse 31 is the climactic conclusion of a passage that addresses spiritual exhaustion and human limitation. In verses 28-30, Isaiah acknowledges that even young men grow tired and vigorous youths stumble and fall. Human strength, no matter how impressive, has limits. But God, the everlasting Creator, neither faints nor grows weary. The promise of verse 31 bridges the gap between God's inexhaustible strength and human weakness. The key is "waiting upon the Lord," a phrase that describes patient, trusting dependence on God's timing and provision rather than rushing ahead in one's own power.
Meaning
The verse describes a transfer of strength. Those who "wait upon the Lord" exchange their depleted human energy for God's limitless power. The Hebrew concept of waiting is not passive but actively expectant, like a servant attending to their master, ready to move when directed but patient until the signal comes. The three images of renewed strength form a descending sequence that is actually ascending in spiritual significance. Mounting up with wings like eagles represents the dramatic, soaring moments of spiritual exhilaration. Running without weariness represents seasons of active, sustained effort. Walking without fainting represents the daily, ordinary grind of faithfulness. The sequence moves from extraordinary to ordinary, suggesting that the greatest miracle is not the dramatic mountaintop experience but the ability to keep walking faithfully day after day without collapsing. This pattern addresses one of the most common spiritual struggles: not the absence of dramatic experiences but the exhaustion of ordinary life. God promises strength not only for the eagle-soaring seasons but also for the daily, unglamorous perseverance that constitutes most of the Christian life.
Original Language Insights
The Hebrew "qavah" (wait upon) means to wait with eager expectation, to look forward to with confidence. It carries the idea of twisting or braiding, like strengthening a rope by intertwining cords. Waiting on God intertwines human weakness with divine strength, creating something far stronger than either alone. "Chalaph" (renew) means to change or exchange, suggesting a transaction: the weary person exchanges spent human strength for fresh divine energy. The eagle (nesher) was the most powerful bird known to the ancient Hebrews, symbolizing strength, speed, and endurance. Eagles soar on thermal updrafts rather than flapping their wings, a picture of relying on God's power rather than one's own effort.
How to Apply This Verse
- When you feel spiritually or emotionally depleted, resist the urge to push harder in your own strength. Instead, pause and wait on God to renew your energy.
- Recognize that faithful, daily walking with God requires more strength than occasional dramatic moments, and ask God for endurance in the ordinary.
- Practice 'waiting on the Lord' through quiet prayer, unhurried Scripture reading, and intentional rest, trusting that He will provide strength in His timing.
- Encourage someone who is in a 'walking' season of life, where faithfulness feels unglamorous, reminding them that God's promise covers the everyday grind.
Related Verses
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? What does it mean to 'wait upon the Lord'? Is waiting easy or hard for you?
- ? The verse mentions soaring, running, and walking. Which season of life do you feel like you are in right now?
- ? How does God 'renew your strength' when you are exhausted? Have you experienced this personally?
Family Activity
Memorize Isaiah 40:31 together as a family this week. Write it on a card and put it somewhere everyone can see it. At the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'wait upon the Lord'?
Waiting upon the Lord is not passive inactivity but active, expectant trust. It means depending on God's timing and provision rather than rushing ahead in your own strength. It involves patience, prayer, and readiness to move when God directs. The Hebrew word 'qavah' carries the idea of eager anticipation, like a servant attentively waiting for their master's instructions.
Why does the verse go from soaring to running to walking?
The descending sequence from soaring to running to walking reflects the realities of the spiritual life. Most of life is not dramatic mountaintop experiences but daily, steady faithfulness. By placing walking last, Isaiah suggests that the greatest demonstration of God's sustaining power is the ability to keep going day after day without fainting. This is deeply encouraging for those in ordinary seasons of life.
How do eagles renew their strength?
Eagles are known for soaring on thermal air currents rather than constantly flapping their wings. They gain altitude by riding rising warm air, which allows them to travel great distances with minimal effort. This provides a powerful metaphor for the believer: strength is renewed not by working harder but by relying on the power that God provides, resting in His upward lift rather than exhausting oneself through self-effort.
Daily Family Devotional
Start each morning with scripture, reflection, and family discussion questions delivered to your inbox.
Free, delivered daily. Unsubscribe anytime.