Discouragement, despondency, depression and similar ills are often viewed as curses of modem day living. There are times. when most of us feel that God would not help us if he could and could not if he would. We do not have a monopoly on such ideas they were true of God’s people in the time of Isaiah.
Isaiah’s mission in chapters 40-66 of his book was to prepare Israel for the long period of captivity. Initially the people thought there would be an early return from Babylon to their homeland. When it became evident this would not be the situation their optimism became despair. There developed a disposition that GoçI had forgotten them and worse still that he was powerless to deliver.
The from God to them relayed by Isaiah was, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” This message of encouragement, which begins at chapter 40, extends for several more. These words can bring reassurance to our hearts.
Chapter 40 and verse 31 declares, “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.” Most of the time, we place the emphasis on the results in this verse instead of the condition. This reaction is understandable but still to receive any reward conditions must be met. In this instance the reward comes to those who “wait on the Lord.”
At least three elements are involved in “waiting on the Lord”. Psalm 104:27 is helpful here. “These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them meat iii due season.” “These” refer to men and beasts according to the context. The beasts wait upon the Lord for food — they are expectantly depending on him. So, when man waits on God he expresses a dependence on him for life and all its blessings and is ever conscious of this dependence. -
A second element is observed at Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” The marginal rendering of “waiteth” is “silent unto”. If you would share the strength of God, it is well to find a time to sit in reverent awe and quiet trust before him expressing a disposition to hear.
Then, there is a third element. Proverbs 8:34 says, “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors”. Here is obedience.
To wait upon the Lord is to recognize our dependence on him, to be silent in his presence, and be ready to do his will. Then we can enjoy God’s strength, which will carry us to victory over discouragement or whatever. “Because of his strength, I will wait upon him for God is my defence” (Psalm 59:9).
---Leon Cole