Isaiah 40:31 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.

I've always viewed this text as most people do, that it is talking about when we get to Heaven. It wasn't until recently that I saw it in another light, and when I read it in context with the other texts around it, I think this recent view is probably the correct view. It is also more encouraging since it now looks like it's talking about the kind of life we can have on this earth. A careful look at the text shows that the words “wait upon” means to wait with expectation. It doesn't mean to lay around being lazy, but to go ahead and do your duties for the day, but wait with expectation for God to do His work in you. We're not to rush ahead of God, making plans, and expecting God to bless our actions, or to tempt God by presuming He'll bless our actions that are done without dependence or direction from God.

Those that wait will renew their strength.” The Hebrew word for “renew” commonly means to change, to alter; and then to revive, to renew, to cause to flourish again. When a person waits on the Lord, they allow God to refresh and strengthen them, which causes them to revive with energy and allows them to do the work God created them to do. “They shall mount up with wings as eagles.” In my research I found that the eagle rises on the most vigorous wing of any bird, and ascends apparently further toward the sun. When we are waiting on the Lord, letting Him guide us, we will rise above the things of this world to a better communion with God, a closer walk with Him and a nearness to His throne. “Run and not be weary, walk and not grow faint.” In this close relationship with God we will do what He created us to do. We won't grow weary or faint because He will refresh and uphold us continually.

Look at your fingers. Each one of us has fingerprints that are unique. Now look at all the people in the world, each of them with their own unique fingerprint. That didn't happen by accident. God created those fingerprints and gave them to each of us. God created each of us. None of us are an accident or a surprise to God. Even those who are born with imperfections of some kind. Those imperfections are not accidents. Remember John 9:3 where Jesus said about the man born blind, “Neither has this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be revealed in him.” Whether God allowed the imperfection to happen, or caused it Himself, is not the point here. God is in control of everything. Nothing gets pass Him or surprises Him. But before anyone gets angry at God for their suffering, realize that those imperfections are not an accident so therefore God has a plan for them. God has a plan that will use those imperfections or disabilities so that He might be revealed through them. If we let Him take over, and wait on Him, he will use them and help us do the work He has planned.