What do we do when we are out of strength? Isaiah 40-44

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power.

 Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

 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.

This may be one of the most popular and known passages of Isaiah, often quoted in the time of hardship and despair.   And, rightly so!   This is the New Testament equivalent of Sanctification and living by faith.   Once we are saved by faith, faith is just beginning.  We are compelled to live by faith because that is how God's word tells us to live (Habakuk 2:14; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).   Here, in Isaiah, we have the basis for living by faith.  As we humble ourselves and give up all control, we "wait" or "hope" on The Lord.   This is the key to the blessings that follow.   We can get regained strength, new feathers to fly, run and not become exhausted, and even walk and not be weary.   But, the key is that we "wait."  Waiting calls for a loss of control.   If you are in the doctor's office and waiting you know what that means.  You have no control.  You are completely at the mercy of the doctor and staff.  If you are in court and have to wait you are completely in the hands and mercy of the Judge.   Waiting is the thing we don't do well.  In today's society our retail stores and fast food outlets track how long we had to wait to place the order and receive the order.   We are not in the waiting mood.  Yet, that is what God tells us to do in the midst of hard times.  We are to "wait" or "hope" (The NASV says "wait" and the NIV says "Hope").   We should expect to grow weary and tired and to stumble badly.  The remedy for this problem is to rest in the yoke of God's love and Christ's power (Matthew 11:29).   Every year an eagle molts their feathers and has to wait for God to restore the feathers.  Only then can they resume flight.   So, too, the believer in the waiting period.  God is in the process of renewing the strength and HIs conduit is the attitude of trustful waiting.