Verse a Prayer

Isaiah 40:31

but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
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Context and meaning

Isaiah 40:31 promises: "but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 closes a chapter that opens with "Comfort, comfort my people" and presents a God who measures the oceans in the palm of his hand and calls the stars by name. The strength Isaiah 40:31 promises is not self-made: it arrives for those who wait.

The promise has a curious order, from the most impressive to the most ordinary: mounting up with wings like eagles, running without growing weary, walking without fainting. Real life happens in the third part. Flying is the exception; walking is the routine.

The condition is to "wait for Yahweh" — a Hebrew verb that also means to twist together, like the strands of a rope. It is not passive waiting; it is dependence wrapped around something stronger.

The previous verse makes clear that even young men grow tired. In other words: fatigue is not a sign of spiritual failure, it is the normal condition of anyone trying in their own strength.

Related verses

  1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

    Philippians 4:13
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  2. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

    Matthew 11:28
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  3. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

    2 Corinthians 12:9
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This verse appears in

StrengthIsaiah 40:31, Philippians 4:13 and 6 more Bible verses about strength: the full text, the reference and what each one means.HopeJeremiah 29:11, Romans 15:13 and 6 more Bible verses about hope: the full text, the reference and what each one means.Youth1 Timothy 4:12, Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 6 more Bible verses for young people: the full text, the reference and what each one means.

Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.

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