Wait

Isaiah 40:27-31

Waiting combines uncertainty, a lack of control, unknown outcomes, and either current or possible pain and loss.

Wait

Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah 40:27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Common Reasoning (v. 27)

27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?

v. 28

Repeating the Answers

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.

“The wrong inference from God’s transcendence is that he is too great to care; the right one is that he is too great to fail.” --Derek Kidner

v. 28

Repeating the Answers

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.

"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25).

30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Universal Problem; Exclusive Solution (vv. 30-31)

To wait on the Lord implies:

--I'm not trying to increase my strength.

--Complete dependence upon Him.

--Allowing God to dictate the terms and timing.

--I'm not trying to get strength from improved circumstances.

Universal Problem; Exclusive Solution (vv. 30-31)

“Those who give up their own frantic efforts to save themselves and turn expectantly to God will be able to replace or exchange their worn-out strength for new strength. How like God: he takes the useless and gives back the good.” --John Oswalt

Universal Problem; Exclusive Solution (vv. 30-31)

"I can plod. That is my only genius. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." --William Carey

"Blessed are the plodders, for they eventually arrive at their destination."

--Warren Wiersbe

Do you ask the old questions?

Do you not know the answers? Have you not heard them?

28 The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.