Those who trust in the LORD gain divinely inspired strength that empowers them to rise above challenges, run life’s race, and never grow weary.
Isaiah lived in the eighth century BC and delivered his prophecies primarily in the southern kingdom of Judah—an area centered around Jerusalem. With the looming threat of foreign powers like Assyria, and later Babylon, Isaiah spoke words of both warning and profound comfort to God’s people. Near the end of this particular chapter, he gives one of Scripture’s most uplifting promises: “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.” (v.31) Eagles in ancient Israel soared over rugged hills and arid lands, and the image of such a graceful, effortless ascent offered a vivid picture of God’s sustaining power.
Isaiah ties this promise of renewed energy to the simple but challenging act of waiting for the LORD. To wait in this sense means to remain faithful, prayerful, and hopeful in the face of trials, fully expecting God to act in His perfect timing. The emphasis on new strength suggests that the people of Judah could find a fresh, divine source of vigor that went beyond what their human abilities could provide. The idea that they would mount up with wings like eagles conveys an elevated perspective on hardships—soaring above difficulties through reliance on God rather than their own limited power. Later parts of Isaiah speak similarly of God’s comforting presence and how He gives strength to the weary.
The promise continues by stating that “They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (v.31) This speaks to everyday endurance, the type that persists through life’s consistent demands as well as its sudden adversities. Waiting and trusting in the LORD result in strength to keep going, no matter how daunting the road becomes. This truth ultimately resonates in the New Testament, where Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest, promising renewal for the soul (Matthew 11:28). God’s assurance in Isaiah 40:31 reminds His people that renewal of heart and spirit comes from patient faith in Him, a faith that is not shaken by circumstances and finds its thrill in the knowledge that God both cares and delivers.
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Isaiah 40:31 meaning
Isaiah lived in the eighth century BC and delivered his prophecies primarily in the southern kingdom of Judah—an area centered around Jerusalem. With the looming threat of foreign powers like Assyria, and later Babylon, Isaiah spoke words of both warning and profound comfort to God’s people. Near the end of this particular chapter, he gives one of Scripture’s most uplifting promises: “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.” (v.31) Eagles in ancient Israel soared over rugged hills and arid lands, and the image of such a graceful, effortless ascent offered a vivid picture of God’s sustaining power.
Isaiah ties this promise of renewed energy to the simple but challenging act of waiting for the LORD. To wait in this sense means to remain faithful, prayerful, and hopeful in the face of trials, fully expecting God to act in His perfect timing. The emphasis on new strength suggests that the people of Judah could find a fresh, divine source of vigor that went beyond what their human abilities could provide. The idea that they would mount up with wings like eagles conveys an elevated perspective on hardships—soaring above difficulties through reliance on God rather than their own limited power. Later parts of Isaiah speak similarly of God’s comforting presence and how He gives strength to the weary.
The promise continues by stating that “They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (v.31) This speaks to everyday endurance, the type that persists through life’s consistent demands as well as its sudden adversities. Waiting and trusting in the LORD result in strength to keep going, no matter how daunting the road becomes. This truth ultimately resonates in the New Testament, where Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest, promising renewal for the soul (Matthew 11:28). God’s assurance in Isaiah 40:31 reminds His people that renewal of heart and spirit comes from patient faith in Him, a faith that is not shaken by circumstances and finds its thrill in the knowledge that God both cares and delivers.