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.
This is a very famously quoted passage in scripture. But there’s more here than meets the eye. The NIV translates the first part of this as “But those who hope on the Lord…” from the Hebrew uqui, meaning “and ones being expectant of”. However, the Septuagint indicates a different translation. The words “wait upon” in the Greek is hupomenontes. It means “to bear up under trial” and has the meaning of “being stretched (when enduring through a trial).” When we are in the crucible of trials, God stretches us to our very limits, but doesn’t allow us to break. When we are stretched, we can be extended, like a rubber band, but we spring back, and unlike the rubber band, we are stronger than when we started. We renew our strength after the trial is over. When we are enduring it, God gives us the strength to endure, for He will not allow us to be tempted without giving us the ability, or provide options, to overcome it – even if it means fleeing.
The other interest aspect of this is that when we walk, it is indicated that we might faint. The Christian life is a very challenging one. As we grow in Christ, we become more aware of His holiness, and the path seems straighter and narrower every day. It takes great strength to continually walk in a manner pleasing to God. But thanks be to God for sending Jesus, who in turn sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us and empower us!
Rejoice! God gives you the ability to walk with Him, even when the day-to-day trials of life wear us down, sap our strength, and put us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in a place where we feel at any moment we will just pass out from exhaustion. Cry out to the Lord, and receive new strength!
A short prayer of preparation:
Father in Heaven, You are Almighty God; may all honor, glory, strength, power, and dominion be Yours forever, Amen and Amen! You give me hope when there is no reason to hope, and strength when my strength fails. Father, I humbly come to you in brokenness. Help me in my circumstances. Provide a way for your servant to overcome. Grant me success this day. Bless my enemies, and may Your kindness in this draw them to You. Open doors that I cannot open, and fight these battles, Lord. I need You Lord God, and greatly desire Your fellowship. Help me to overcome, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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CHRIST ALLIANCE CHURCH 