Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary… I. GOOD MEN ARE POSSESSED OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. 1. It is that spiritual vigour of mind by which sin is overcome. 2. And by which the world is overcome. 3. By this strength, spiritual duties are acceptably performed. 4. This strength is that qualification of mind by which the followers of Christ are enabled to endure trials and bear the cross. 5. "A deathbed is a detector of the heart." But death does not "make cowards of us all." He who said this, knew but little of the courage which the grace of God communicates to the minds of the most timid of the disciples of Jesus. II. THIS STRENGTH REQUIRES TO BE RENEWED. 1. It is possible for the best of men to lose much of the influence of religion from the heart, and for a time to be very unconscious of it. 2. The corroding cares of the world should excite them to obtain the renewal of their strength. 3. Their strength requires to be renewed, because it is not innate, but communicated. 4. And because the servants of God have gone awfully wrong when it has not been renewed. 5. Good men have done wonders when their strength has been renewed. III. THE RENEWAL OF STRENGTH IS TO BE OBTAINED BY WAITING UPON THE LORD. 1. Prayer is the waiting posture of the soul. 2. Waiting upon the Lord includes expectation. "My eyes are unto Thee; my expectation is from Thee." 3. Watchfulness is implied in waiting upon the Lord. IV. THE BLESSEDNESS OF WAITING UPON THE LORD. "They shall mount up with wings as eagles," etc. This is expressive of — 1. Steady attachment to the ways of God. "Walk without fainting." 2. Rapid progress. "Run without weariness." 3. Elevated devotion. "Mount up with wings as eagles." "They shall put forth fresh feathers as the moulting eagle." No doubt the allusion is to the velocity with which the eagle soars towards the sun, after the renewal of his feathers. (W. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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