The Power of Waiting

We live in a fast-paced culture that pushes people not just to move but to move quickly. We constantly strive to be faster and more productive than the day, week, month, or year before. With this mentality so prevalent in our culture, it is no wonder that we often ask, “Where will I find the strength for today?” Though God promises to be our power source, how we access His great strength might seem unusual. The call offered to us today from our verse in Isaiah is a call to wait for the Lord.

Waiting might be one of the most challenging things we can do as believers. It causes us to rely not on ourselves but on something or someone else. Some translations of Isaiah 40:31 use “hope” or “trust” instead of wait because it communicates what is truly happening when we wait on the Lord.

In 1 Samuel 13, when King Saul goes into battle, he is instructed to wait for the prophet Samuel to come and offer the sacrifice. When Saul sees his men deserting him, he decides to take matters into his own hands for fear of losing more men and, ultimately, the battle. He does not know that Samuel is only moments away, and his faithlessness in failing to wait reveals his lack of trust in God. This frantic moment results in disaster for Saul as he begins to lose God’s favor and the opportunity to lead God’s people.

What we see in Saul’s life is the opposite of what we see promised in Isaiah 40. When we choose to wait instead of acting in our own strength, God promises supernatural empowerment. Our strength is renewed, we can mount up with wings like eagles, we can run and not get weary, and we can walk and not faint.

Are we looking for that kind of strength and power today? Learn to wait on the Lord and trust Him. Let’s take a moment to reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, knowing that we can count on Him in the

Reflect & Pray

Father God, today I take a moment to wait on You. I acknowledge that You are the Giver of life and that everything I need for today is found in You. Strengthen me with steadfastness as I learn to rely on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.