Today’s Daily Bible Verse: Wait Upon The LORD

April 24, 2025

Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31: 

“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.

Verse Context:

The Book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah, whose ministry spanned roughly from 740 to 686 BC during the reigns of several kings in Judah. This particular chapter—Isaiah chapter 40—is a turning point in the book. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah deal heavily with judgment, sin, and warnings to Israel and the surrounding nations. But chapter 40 opens a new section—a message of comfort and hope directed to the people of God in exile, reminding them that God has not forgotten them and that His promises still stand.

Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 is the crescendo of this comforting reassurance. The verse begins with the phrase “they that wait upon the Lord,” which means more than just patience. The word wait here carries the meaning of expectantly looking to or relying on God. It’s not passive. It’s an active trust in His strength and timing. It implies dependency, surrender, and expectation all at once.

The phrase “shall renew their strength” speaks of a divine exchange: those who are weak and weary give up their own failing strength and in return receive God’s supernatural enabling. The word renew here means to exchange or replace, not just to recharge like a battery, but to actually receive something new and better—His power for our weakness.

“They shall mount up with wings as eagles” draws on the imagery of the eagle—one of the strongest and most majestic of birds. Eagles don’t flap endlessly like smaller birds; they rise above the turbulence by catching the thermal updrafts. This is a picture of effortless strength that comes from trusting in God’s provision, not our own striving. It’s also symbolic of rising above circumstances rather than being trapped beneath them.

The verse continues with “they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” These aren’t random stages—they represent real seasons in the life of a believer. Sometimes God empowers us to soar above it all, sometimes He enables us to run through the intense pressures of life, and sometimes He simply keeps us walking, one faithful step at a time, when that’s all we can do. But in each case, His strength sustains us—not our own.

The 18th-century theologian Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Presbyterian) explains this verse as God’s promise that He will “fit His people for their trials, employ them in His service, and enable them to persevere in duty.”

John Oswalt (b. 1940, Wesleyan/Methodist), in his NICOT commentary on Isaiah, adds that this verse “offers a total transformation of the human condition, not by changing circumstances, but by changing the person within them.”

And practically, this passage speaks with special power to those in long trials—people waiting on healing, clarity, purpose, or relief. It tells us not only that God can renew us, but that He will—in His perfect time and way.

Broader Context:

Isaiah chapter 40 is the beginning of what many scholars call the “Book of Comfort” within the larger Book of Isaiah. While the first 39 chapters primarily warn of judgment and exile due to Israel’s rebellion, chapter 40 shifts dramatically in tone, opening with the words: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” This is not just a casual encouragement—it’s a divine command to console and restore hope to a broken and scattered people. It was written prophetically for those who would one day be in Babylonian exile, reminding them that God’s promises would outlast their punishment.

The structure of Isaiah from this point forward reflects a future hope rooted in the character and power of God Himself. Chapter 40 is foundational—it reintroduces God’s people to who He really is: not a distant deity, but a powerful, compassionate Creator who cares deeply for the weak and will redeem His people.

In the broader scope of chapter 40, Isaiah does three major things:

1. He reminds the people that God is coming with power and tenderness (verses 1–11). Verses like “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd” show the soft, gentle care of the Lord alongside His might.
2. He contrasts the greatness of God with the frailty of man (verses 12–26). Isaiah poses questions like “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?” to highlight God’s sovereignty over creation. These questions are rhetorical and meant to humble the reader and awaken awe.
3. He closes by declaring that this all-powerful God gives strength to the weary (verses 27–31). This is where our daily verse lives. It’s not only a conclusion but also a rebuke to those who say “My way is hid from the Lord.” Isaiah is saying: You may feel forgotten, but you’re not. The everlasting God never faints, never grows weary, and He will renew you.

This section serves both a theological and pastoral role. Theologically, it reminds the exiles—and us—that God does not change, and His purposes stand firm. Pastorally, it meets the reader in their exhaustion and says: God sees you, and He will carry you.

What’s beautiful is that this passage sets up the chapters that follow, where God will reveal the role of His servant—the Messiah—who will bring justice (chapter 42), bear the people’s sins (chapter 53), and eventually establish a kingdom of peace. All of that begins with this word of comfort in chapter 40.

Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31, then, is not a mere inspirational quote. It is the climax of a holy declaration: You are not forgotten, your strength is not lost, and your hope is not foolish. Wait on the Lord. He will lift you up.

Application

Appreciating God’s Greatness

Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 draws our eyes upward—not just to the sky like the eagle—but to the eternal God who rules over the sky, the stars, the seasons, and every soul that calls on Him. This verse reveals a magnificent truth about God’s nature: He is never exhausted. Unlike us, He does not tire, weaken, or grow frustrated by time. He is never too late, too distracted, or too weary to act.

We serve a God who gives power to the faint (Isaiah chapter 40 verse 29), and that power is not recycled—it’s fresh and full. The picture of the eagle soaring isn’t about freedom alone—it’s about strength without striving, rest while rising, and height without fear. God’s greatness is not just seen in creation but in His care for the crushed and His renewal of the weary.

For the Believer

This verse is a daily anchor for the Christian walk. We all experience seasons where the path ahead seems long, the strength behind us feels drained, and our spirits are tempted to faint. But Isaiah’s words assure us that waiting on the Lord is not wasting time—it’s preparing for a supernatural exchange of strength. Believers who trust in God’s timing and lean on His promises will rise again—not always in a dramatic moment, but often in the quiet renewal of daily endurance. You might not feel like an eagle today. You may feel like you’re barely walking. That’s okay—God promises that even your walk will not end in fainting.

This is a call to hold fast. To wait—not with idle hands, but with a surrendered heart. It’s a reminder that the spiritual strength you need is not manufactured by sheer willpower, but received through surrender and faith. The more you lean on Him, the stronger you’ll become—not because you’ve trained harder, but because He has lifted you higher.

Call to Action: If you’re weary today—emotionally, physically, spiritually—don’t turn inward. Turn upward. Carve out intentional time to seek God in prayer and in His Word. Don’t rush your waiting; renewal comes in the waiting. Encourage someone else today who is struggling—send them this verse. Be the one who helps another soul take flight again.

For the Unbeliever

If you are reading this and you don’t know Jesus, this promise still reaches for you. You may be living in your own strength, trying to bear the weight of life’s burdens on your shoulders. That strength will eventually fail—it was never meant to carry eternal pressure. But there is One who never grows weary, who calls all who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him for rest (Matthew chapter 11 verse 28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”). This is not a poetic escape—it is a real invitation from a real Savior.

Jesus Christ offers more than just comfort—He offers life, peace, and a future. You may feel grounded right now, burdened, or even broken—but He will lift you. Come to Him with your whole heart, surrender your self-reliance, and trust the One who can cause you to rise with wings as eagles.

Final Encouragement

Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 is not simply a verse about energy or motivation—it is a divine promise. God sees the tired. He lifts the low. And He strengthens those who stop striving in their own might and begin waiting in His. Whether you are soaring, running, or barely walking, you are not forgotten. Your strength will be renewed—not by your own hands, but by His.

Let today be a turning point. Choose to wait—not with frustration, but with faith. Let your soul rest in the assurance that the God who never sleeps is working all things for your good. And when the time is right, He will lift you up—higher than you imagined, stronger than you believed, and more stable than you’ve ever stood before.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for being the God who never grows weary. In a world that constantly drains us, You are our unending source of strength. For every weary soul reading this today, I ask that You would fulfill Your promise—renew their strength. For those who are walking, help them not to faint. For those who are running, sustain their pace. And for those who are ready to rise, lift them like eagles. Teach us to wait on You—not in fear or frustration, but in faith and expectation. Let Your peace steady us, Your Spirit empower us, and Your Word anchor us. We rest in You today, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing

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Shalom Shalom.