but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Through the Bible: Isaiah 40-43
Nearly all the English translations of Isaiah 40:31 say, “But those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.” “Wait for” expresses confidence that God meet our needs, restore our strength, and satisfy our deepest longings. Nothing wrong with that.
But the King James is different. It says, “They that wait UPON the Lord.” There’s a shade of difference there that actually makes all the difference in the world.
One of my first jobs was in a restaurant. I learned what it meant to wait on people. Anticipate their needs. Be attentive to their desires. Stand by, ready and equipped to fulfill their order.
Too often, I wait for the Lord like I wait for my wife or my kids to get ready to go somewhere. Impatiently looking at my watch, thinking about my inconvenience, wondering why they are running late. I need to remember that when I wait ON the Lord, I am serving Him. I want Him to be pleased with my attentiveness. I am eager to meet His needs.
Today, Lord, let me find new strength as I wait upon you.
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