“Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”
Isaiah 40:31, NASB
The particular word “wait” is a vital force that must be reckoned with. It’s not used passively in the Scriptures. It does not mean to be apathetic or lazy. Sometimes we wait in line at the grocery store, or maybe we’re waiting for a phone call. We regularly wait all the time, and usually, we don’t even realize it.
The Hebrew word for ‘wait’ is special. It’s qāvâ. It means, ‘to bind together by twisting.’
It will sometimes mean to work like a fisherman who repairs his nets to get them ready for tomorrow’s task.
(There are always holes to mend after a long night’s efforts.)
When I truly wait on God, I realize that I’m actually repairing myself for His heart and for His work.
Seeing His face
Hearing His voice
Keeping pace with Him, whether He moves or doesn’t
It’s a fascinating way of describing something, isn’t it? Sometimes, when we think of waiting only in the context of the English language, it can become a frustrating delay. This often causes us to miss out on the true meaning of ‘wait’. I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit wants us to understand the concept of being closely connected to God. Sadly, we are often held back by our own definitions, rather than embracing the definitions found in God’s Word.
“The LORD is good to those who WAIT for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
Psalm 27:14
For those of us who are sick – in body or mind – being told to “wait on the Lord” can be difficult to understand and accept. It is common for us to feel frustrated with this advice and the person giving it, mainly because we don’t fully grasp the true meaning of ‘waiting.’ We get close to understanding it, but we never quite reach that understanding of that word.
“WAIT for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; WAIT for the LORD!”
Psalm 27:14
He becomes my strength; He is now the strong cord I am braided into. (Perhaps this is how He imparts strength and might to His people?) We need this, and the Lord is quite eager to lead us into this new kind of intimacy.
“The LORD is good to those who WAIT for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:25
The promise in Isaiah 40:31 talks about getting new strength, like an eagle’s wings, a holy energy. This verse is important for us, especially today; we need this kind of strength right now. I just want to inspire you during your prayer time to become consciously and purposefully connected to the Lord.
It’s only then can we can put our nets back together again?
“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
“One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved [whom He esteemed and delighted in], was reclining [next to Him] on Jesus’ bosom.”
John 13:23, Amplified
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37
This apostle, traditionally known to be John, is sitting at the table with the rest of the disciples. It is an intimate and relaxing affair, they eat and talk and rest in a cool, quiet room. It’s here that John learns to lean.
John sits next to Jesus, an informal place of honor.
The scripture says that he just rests his head on Jesus’ shoulder. And Jesus did nothing to stifle such behavior. Often, with men it would be very uncomfortable and distracting. I remember when I was a missionary in Mexico watching men holding hands, as good friends. (I’ve heard that this is true in other cultures as well.)
The intimacy between Jesus and John might strike some as a little odd.
But for Jesus this love encouraged him as he prepared himself for a brutal death. He felt John’s love and confidence in Him. It was a precious moment. I’m certain both men drew strength from this. Perhaps maybe we can also encourage Jesus like this–maybe?
Tradition tells us that John was boiled in oil. Loving him can be dangerous.
When the black rolls in, and it begins to get scary, resting your head on Jesus’ shoulder is a wonderful place to be. We may not look at it like this, but I believe Jesus is comforted by our love. He is encouraged by our affection. It was now getting dark outside. Jesus had just hours before the nightmare would begin.
We can make Him happy and content by our simple tokens of affection.
The ‘arm of the Lord’ is spoken of repeatedly by the prophets. They had a prophetic insight into the strength of God. We call it, ‘omnipotence’, and our understanding is that He has all strength, and all power– all of the time. I think that John was leaning on that omnipotence. But it still was motivated by his affection and love for Jesus.
Our Savior is strong enough to carry our very heavy burdens and all of our loads.
“Perhaps God has been speaking to you and you wonder why you have troubles. Maybe you have suffered a financial loss and you find it very difficult to understand. Is God speaking to you in an effort to bring you back to Himself? You need to face these matters squarely and be honest with God as He deals with you.”
–Theodore Epp
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Psalm 119:71
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”
Broken Believers 