Have you ever been a waiter or waitress at a restaurant?  I haven’t but it looks like it could be a challenging “order”!

I’ve found myself once again musing on Isaiah 40:30-32….

….but those who hope (wait) on 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.
Is 40:30-32

Permit me to examine the verse through a different filter….using the perspective as one “waiting” on someone else….

Dictionary.com defines “to wait” this way:

“to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for”

Now, think about the context of that word application to the verse: “they that wait upon the Lord….”  So instead of “waiting for someone”, the interpretation is “waiting on someone”.

Would I be interpreting this correctly by rightly assuming the following….?

They that WAIT UPON the Lord will….

renew their strength….
soar on wings like eagles….
run and not grow weary….
walk and not faint….

Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength. Isaiah 40:31
© 2006 Hosanna Loh

LETHARGY was the defining word today.  Irene’s energy was diminished but her attitude continues to be positive!!!  I did notice, however, that Irene was energized as she prepared our dinner and was able to accomplish some objectives of the day.

One might think that “waiting” or “serving” would drain energy but scripture instructs us otherwise.  I also personally observed the contrary experience.  Before Irene was ill she was ENERGIZED either practicing hospitality or in an environment where she was serving God and/or others. That’s the Irene we all know and love and when her energy does return, get out of the way!!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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I wait and hope that in my lifetime we’ll see cars flying nearly the way they do on “The Jetson’s” cartoon television program!!

In yesterday’s update I purposely omitted an additional benefit of “waiting” on the Lord.  It’s probably because I’m not sure what “soaring on wings like eagles” specifically denotes in Isaiah 40, but I do embrace the imagery.

You’ll notice that the verse doesn’t say that we will fly …. but it does say that when we wait on the Lord we will SOAR on WINGS like EAGLES.

SOARING on wings like eagles ….  Just imagine the exhilaration and freedom that one would feel soaring on wings like eagles …. I also wonder if the experience would be similar to the “self actualization” Maslow proposes in his hierarchy of needs ….

Irene had an early morning dialysis treatment and enjoyed lunch with Sue Martinez who also brought her home.  Irene and I later had a very relaxing and inspiring dinner at Mama Mia’s with Reed Jolley, our pastor friend from Santa Barbara.

What’s the prerequisite to SOARING on wings like eagles?  Simply, to “wait” …. and there is never disappointment when we “wait” according to God’s economy because ….

His way is perfect.
Psalm 18:30

As we wait for Irene’s body to heal, I’m not sure if we’ll see flying cars in our lifetime but this I do know …. that if we wait on the Lord he promises that we’ll soar on wings like eagles, and that sounds like a very invigorating ride!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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It’s not really in my natural DNA to “wait”.

I’ve been labeled impatient and I’m sure it’s a well deserved observation!!!  But it’s just so …. inefficient, isn’t it?

According to dictionary.com, “wait” is defined as “to remain or rest in expectation.”

Can there be benefits of waiting?

Apparently, there are:

…. but those who hope (wait) 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.
Is 40:30-32

I observe at least three obvious benefits:

renewed strength
to run and not grow weary
to walk and not be faint

Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength. Isaiah 40:31
© 2006 Hosanna Loh

Irene had a refreshing day.  For most of the day she was by herself and got a number of things done around the house and even accomplished several errands.  Yes, driving too!!  She had several meaningful phone calls and an encouraging personal visit from Marilyn Miller.

Actually, I’m beginning to learn and apply the benefits of waiting …. not that I don’t have lots of room to “grow” in this area!!!  Living with Irene as the consummate example of patience has been a challenge for almost 28 years!!  However, as we see her daily persevering in the recovery period her strength is slowly but surely returning.  And for that we rejoice!

Candidly, waiting has never been tougher …. at least for me, but the benefits far outweigh the burden …. and what choice is there, anyway?  We either embrace the circumstances or resist them and take God at his Word or we don’t.  We see that He has spoken truth again …. because we see it firsthand in Irene.

“…. they that wait on the Lord will renew their strength”.

And to that end we pray.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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