In Isaiah 40 God gives a promise, provision, and power to those who wait. If you have been sad, weary, and without strength to go on, there is good news for you. What God said of Israel also applies to you and all who will wait on the Lord. “’Comfort, comfort my people,’ says your God. ‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned’” (Isaiah 40:1-2 NLT).

To those who wait upon the Lord, God gives power, pardon, and provision. “He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT). The secret of being renewed is to wait on the Lord.

What does it mean to “wait on the Lord”? In Isaiah 40:31 the Hebrew word for “wait” is “qavah” – “to bind or gather together by twisting; i.e. collect, to expect: gather, look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)”. In the Old Testament the manna that had fallen on the ground was to be gathered for the provision of the Israelites. Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, he commanded his disciples “to wait” in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was outpoured upon them to give them power for service. We see that provision and power was given to those who waited on the Lord. Those who looked to God gathered expectantly as they patiently waited for the promise of the Father.

Notice some aspects of waiting on the Lord found in Isaiah 40. First – to wait is to LONG FOR. As the thirsty and famished long for that which would satisfy, so we must long for that which satisfies our soul. “Wait on the Lord” (Isaiah 40:31). The prophet asks, “Why spend your money and endeavors on food that doesn’t satisfy or give strength?” (Isaiah 55) Jesus said, “They that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

In America, the land of fast food, we have forgotten the reward of waiting for a truly nutritious, satisfying meal. Waiting is longing and waiting for what only God can give. In olden times in America, a young man who was “courting” a young lady was said to be “waiting on her”. What would you think of a young man who had a date with your daughter and drove up in his car and honked his horn expecting the young lady to immediately run out to him? You probably would tell your daughter not to go out with such a brash, impatient young man. How many treat God the same way? The Psalmist tells us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, go into his courts with praise, give thanks to him and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4). Long to be in God’s presence. Bring a gift, “the sacrifice of thanksgiving.”

Second – LISTEN for his voice. (Isaiah 40:3) A servant waits to hear his master’s instruction. God speaks to us through his Word. “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). As you respond to the voice of the Lord through repentance and obedience, God promises a highway through the wilderness. (Isaiah 40:3-5) It is called a highway of holiness. (Isaiah 35:8-9) When we wait to hear the Lord’s voice, we are renewed spirit, soul, and body.

Third – LOOK for him. Have you ever tried unsuccessfully to catch the attention of a waiter or waitress? As we wait on the Lord we watch for his signal, we watch for the movement of his eye or the indication of his desire. As his servants we are to serve his desires. This epitaph was found on a tombstone, “God finally caught her eye”. Let’s not wait until we die. Let’s live to please Him.

A lamb looks to the shepherd to lead and feed. As we look to the Lord we see his mercy and majesty. (Isaiah 40:10-28) As you wait on the Lord, you will see him come in glorious power. (Isaiah 40:10) “The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth. He never grows faint or weary. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out.” Wait on the Lord.

Fourth – LIVE for Him. As we wait on the Lord, we are not sitting around twiddling our thumbs. Proverbs gives us a word picture of tending and nurturing a fig tree. “Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it: also he who waits on his master shall be honored” (Proverbs 27:18). To wait on the Lord is to live for Him as our master and to nurture our relationship with Christ. God promises to honor those who LIVE for Him.

As we live for God sometimes we run with energy and endurance. Sometime we can only walk putting one leg in front of the other. But we will not faint if we learn to wait on the Lord. If you wait on the Lord you will find new strength. You will “mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31). Learn the secret of waiting.