Strength. Who doesn’t need strength in their lives to face the day. Isaiah 40:31 is often quoted when looking for strength. Looking back to verse 28 reveals a few extra things to note.
- God is the Everlasting God who does not become weary or tired. That’s hard to comprehend as a daily part of our lives is experiencing tired or weariness either emotionally or physically. God does not become tired or weary waiting for us to focus on what He has for us.
- Verse 28 also states that God’s understanding is inscrutable (NRSV). Inscrutable means incapable of being analyzed; mysterious; unfathomable. Therefore, we cannot understand God’s understanding of us. That can sound confusing at first. We don’t understand sometimes why we do things or others do things. God’s understanding of us is something that cannot be analyzed, which is a good thing. Most of us would have given up on ourselves or others at some point in the journey because we can’t understand things the way God does.
- Verse 30 talks about youth growing tired and weary and vigorous people stumbling badly (NRSV). Some people feel they were much more energetic and capable when they were younger, especially physically. The next sentence in v. 31 says that “those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength”. Many people rush to do things or make judgements about situations or wish they could have something right now. We often lament the fervor of our youth. However, the word ”new” is the key. Think about it: If we wait on God, He will not only give us strength but ”new” strength. New-fresh-something we haven’t had before. This can be better than anything we had, even our youthful strength and energy!
New strength and a fresh perspective can only come from waiting on God, the one who understands us and doesn’t grow tired or weary in helping us thrive toward our best!
Nae's Notes 