Many times, life seems like a drawn-out and tiresome journey. Working under pressure, experiencing loss and disappointment, and waiting for answers to long-prayed prayers all wear us out. However, Isaiah 40:31 provides a remarkable assurance for individuals who are exhausted: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” They’re going to fly like eagles, run without getting tired, and walk without passing out. According to this scripture, waiting is a sacred stance of trust and not a show of weakness. Waiting on the Lord means actively relying on God to act in His perfect time, rather than doing nothing.
Waiting Builds Trust and Strengthens Faith
Waiting on the Lord develops deep spiritual muscles. In a culture that values instant gratification, choosing to wait on God teaches us to rely on His timing instead of our own. It is a process that refines our character, deepens our trust, and strengthens our faith. The waiting season becomes a proving ground where we learn to believe in God’s goodness even when we cannot see the outcome. Like a seed planted in the soil, waiting allows our roots to grow deep before fruit appears.
Isaiah 40:31 invites us to wait with hope, not with fear or despair. God is not idle during our waiting—He is working behind the scenes, shaping events, hearts, and opportunities according to His perfect plan. Those who wait on Him are never wasting time; they are positioning themselves for divine strength. The promise is clear: they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. That means we can move forward in life’s journey with renewed energy and divine power, even if we are in a season of pause.
Soaring Like Eagles in God’s Timing
Instead of fluttering wildly, eagles grab the wind currents and rise with them, allowing them to soar high above the turmoil and turbulence of the storm. When we wait on God, we are raised above life’s storms by His strength rather than our own, according to the imagery used in Isaiah. By waiting, we can overcome discouragement, fear, and fatigue and see things from God’s point of view. The goal is to rise through the storm with the strength of the Spirit, not to flee it.
God gives us the ability to endure, press on, and overcome when we remain close to Him in trust. He provides strength when we are tired, hope when we are discouraged, and power when we feel defeated. Waiting on Him is not a passive delay but an active declaration of faith that says, “God, I trust You. I believe you’re working. I know you will come through.” And He always does—in His time, with His strength, and for our good.
Isaiah 40:31 Strength in Waiting on the Lord, 4th October 2025
Strength Renewed in Waiting
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.
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
When we pause to wait on God, He exchanges our weariness for His boundless strength. The promise is not just survival but renewal—soaring like an eagle, running without exhaustion, and walking without fainting.
God Strengthens the Weary
He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the faint…”
God delights in strengthening those who admit their weakness. Our helplessness becomes the doorway through which His divine power flows, lifting us when we feel empty.
Joy Becomes Our Strength
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The joy that comes from knowing and trusting God is not fleeting happiness—it is a fortress. In every trial, joy rooted in Him provides the unshakable strength to endure.
The Lord Upholds You
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10 – “I will strengthen you and uphold you…”
God’s steady hand holds us when life feels unstable. His presence guarantees help, courage, and strength beyond what we can muster on our own.
God Is Our Shield
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and shield…”
Trust unlocks God’s strength in our lives. As we lean on Him, we experience His protection and provision, leading us into praise.
Strength in Weakness
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
When weakness overwhelms us, God steps in with grace. His power is revealed not in our perfection, but in our surrender to Him.
Peace and Strength Together
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength and peace.”
True strength does not come with turmoil but with peace. God gives both, calming our hearts while empowering our steps.
Strength for All Things
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ…”
Christ enables us beyond natural limits. With Him, we find the capacity to endure, overcome, and excel in what seems impossible.
Strength of Heart
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 – “God is the strength of my heart forever.”
Even when physical strength fades, God supplies eternal strength within. He remains our lasting treasure and unfailing source.
Seek the Lord’s Strength
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and His strength.”
Strength comes not from striving but from seeking. As we look to Him continually, He supplies what we need for every day.
Strength in Refuge
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is the strength of my life.”
Fear melts away in the light of God’s presence. When He is our strength, no opposition can intimidate or overcome us.
Strength in Stillness
In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.
Isaiah 30:15—”In quietness and trust is your strength.”
True power flows not from frantic effort but from rest in God. Quiet confidence in Him becomes our strength in chaos.
Strength for the Weary Soul
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 – “I will give you rest.”
Christ offers not just relief but restoration. His invitation lightens our load and renews our strength for tomorrow.
Strength in Courage
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that goes with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “He will not leave or forsake you.”
Courage flows from the certainty of God’s presence. His unfailing companionship empowers us to face any challenge.
Strength from Everlasting Arms
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27 – “Underneath are the everlasting arms.”
We are never without support, for God’s eternal arms hold us secure. His embrace carries us through every storm.
Strengthened with Power
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
Colossians 1:11 – “Strengthened with all might.”
God’s strength equips us not just to endure but to endure with joy. His power fuels patience and steadfastness.
Strength in Rest
My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exodus 33:14 – “My presence shall give you rest.”
The presence of God carries a peace that strengthens. Resting in Him brings renewal no striving can achieve.
Strength in Hope
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 – “He will strengthen your heart.”
Hope anchors the soul and empowers the heart. When placed in the Lord, it brings resilience and courage.
Strength to Stand Firm
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be strong and stand firm in faith.”
Faith steadies us like armor in battle. With God’s strength, we stand firm against all trials.
Strength That Renews Daily
Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 – “The inward man is renewed daily.”
Even as our bodies tire, God renews our inner being with fresh strength each day, preparing us for His purposes.
Strength in Patient Trust
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Psalm 37:7 – “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”
Patience in waiting on God is not passive but deeply active. It is a surrender of our anxious striving, an acknowledgment that His timing is flawless. In waiting, we discover that strength does not always mean rushing ahead—it means being rooted in trust until God moves.
Strength When Fainthearted
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 – “The Lord Jehovah is my strength and song.”
When fear creeps in, God’s salvation becomes the anchor of our soul. His strength transforms trembling hearts into hearts that sing with confidence, resting in the assurance that He alone delivers.
Strength That Never Fails
Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:4 – “In the Lord is everlasting strength.”
Human strength fades, but God’s strength has no end. Leaning on Him means tapping into a wellspring that never runs dry, no matter the season or struggle.
Strength from the Rock
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Psalm 18:2 – “The Lord is my rock and my strength.”
God is immovable, unshakable, and unchanging. When we hide ourselves in Him, we find the strength to stand even when everything around us crumbles.
Strength in Waiting for Good
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for him.”
There is goodness hidden in waiting—an intimacy with God that is revealed only when we surrender the rush. In His presence, waiting shapes us into people of unshakable hope.
Strength in Quiet Rest
Truly my soul waits upon God: from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psalm 62:1-2 – “My soul waits upon God.”
Silence before God is not weakness—it is trust. In stillness we find that His strength is our defense, and our lives cannot be shaken when rooted in Him.
Strength in the Day of Trouble
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble.”
Trouble does not define us; God’s goodness does. In Him we find shelter and strength, and He intimately knows those who place their trust in Him.
Strengthened by the Spirit
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.
Ephesians 3:16 – “Strengthened with might by His Spirit.”
The Spirit of God strengthens us from the inside out. This inner renewal gives us resilience that no outward circumstance can take away.
Strength in Endurance
But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “The Lord will strengthen and guard you.”
God’s faithfulness is the anchor of our strength. His protective hand keeps us firm, guarding us against the schemes of the enemy and helping us endure.
Strength for Every Burden
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden upon the Lord.”
Strength comes when we stop carrying weights that are not ours to bear. God sustains us when we lay our burdens on Him, steadying our hearts in the storm.
Strength in Perfect Peace
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 – “He will keep you in perfect peace.”
Peace and strength flow together when we fix our minds on God. Trusting Him secures our inner world, no matter how loud the chaos outside.
Strength in Deliverance
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18 – “The Lord delivers the righteous.”
God’s nearness to the broken is itself a source of strength. His ear is attentive, and His hand is ready to deliver us from every trouble.
Strength in Perseverance
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21 – “Build yourselves in faith and prayer.”
Perseverance is fueled by prayer and faith. In waiting, we build strength by leaning into God’s Spirit, keeping ourselves rooted in His love.
Strength to Overcome
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4 – “Faith is the victory that overcomes.”
Strength is not measured by might but by faith. Those born of God live in victory, empowered to overcome the pull of the world.
Strength in the Lord’s Name
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.”
In times of fear, calling upon the name of the Lord becomes our refuge. His name is power and strength that shields us from harm.
Strength in God’s Faithfulness
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Great is your faithfulness.”
Every sunrise declares God’s mercy and renews our hope. His faithfulness is the strength that carries us day by day.
Strength for Battle
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.
Psalm 144:1 – “The Lord trains my hands for battle.”
God equips us with strength for the battles we face, both seen and unseen. His power ensures we fight not in our own might but in His.
Strength in Renewal
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:23-24 – “Be renewed in your mind.”
God’s strength transforms us from the inside out. Renewal is His work, clothing us in righteousness that makes us strong in Him.
Strength in Enduring Love
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Love is the greatest strength of all. God’s everlasting love steadies us, drawing us to Him and giving courage to face each day.
Strength in Eternal Renewal
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear.”
The ultimate strength we await is eternal—when pain and weariness are swallowed up in God’s presence. This hope sustains us while we wait here below.
Summary
Isaiah 40:31 beautifully assures us that waiting on the Lord is not a passive act but a powerful declaration of trust. In our weakest moments, God offers strength. He invites us to pause, to lean into His presence, and to allow Him to carry us through life’s uncertainties. Waiting stretches our faith, but it also renews it. The energy we gain by trusting in God’s timing enables us to walk, run, and soar without fear or weariness.
God’s strength is made perfect in our patience. When we wait for Him, we are elevated beyond our circumstances and renewed from the inside out. Like eagles lifted by the wind, we rise not by our effort but by the power of His Spirit. So take heart—though the waiting may feel long, God is at work. His promises are true, and those who wait on Him will never be put to shame.
