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1st January 2025
WednesdayReflection
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Jeffery Curtis Poor
Trying to be more like Jesus each day.
'Comfort, comfort my people'
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"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
.... Isaiah 40:31
I remember the first time I heard this verse as a kid, I thought it was the coolest sounding verse in the Bible.
But I had no idea what it really meant.
The book of Isaiah is one of the most famous books of prophecy and one of the most important books in the Bible.
This book is regularly quoted throughout the New Testament and one of Jesus' go-to books to quote.
Isaiah 40 starts off with powerful words,
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God."
Israel was in difficult seasons of division within their nation and invasion from outside their nation by the Assyrians.
They were tempted to think God had left them, and their hope was shrinking.
"Those who hope in the Lord" can also be translated as "those who wait upon the Lord."
Either way the message of this verse is the same.
Remember the context, Israel is facing all sorts of hardships, and they are struggling to trust God through it all.
Isaiah is encouraging his readers to wait on God, to place their hope in him.
Things might be difficult, but God will come through.
The message here is that when we place our complete trust in God he will sustain us, our strength will be renewed.
Eagles are known for their strength and ability to soar above the clouds and through the storms; they are powerful creatures.
In ancient culture eagles were revered as mighty and courageous warriors who would fight for their young.
Isaiah is comparing this majestic and noble creature to those who remain faithful to God.
To soar, or mount up, on wings like eagles means that God will bring his people through the storms they are facing.
All God's people need to do is trust in him.
Isaiah isn't done painting this incredible picture.
For those who place their hope in the Lord they will run and not grow weary.
Whenever you run you eventually will grow weary.
It doesn't matter how good of shape you are in, at some point you will become tired and unable to continue on.
What Isaiah is saying is that for God's people they will not grow weary.
Now, he's not talking about running a race.
Rather he's promising that God will give them the strength they need to sustain them through the trials they are facing.
For forty years God's people wandered in the desert.
They walked and walked and walked.
Despite all the wandering God not only provided for them, he sustained them.
They walked and did not faint.
Isaiah is telling his readers that they too can experience God's power at work in their life.
Just as God delivered their ancestors he can, and will, deliver them too.
If they remain faithful and wait on God they will soar like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk and not be faint.
Just as God provided for the nation of Israel God still provides for his people today.
And the message of the Bible is clear, trust in him.
Take a few minutes to reflect on this verse.
Look at how God has sustained you in the past and spend some time praying for strength going forward.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'Rethink'
My main job has been serving as a pastor for 13+ years.
Through that work, I have developed a passion for helping people understand the Bible and apply it to their lives.
That's what led to me starting 'Rethink' back in 2015; to help people align their lives with God's word.
Jeffery Curtis Poor
Husband. Father. Pastor. Church Planter. Writer. Trying to be more like Jesus each day.
BA in Biblical Studies - Ozark Christian College (2012) MA in Theology - Regent University (2019)
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