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Waiting


                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. (Isaiah 40:31 NASB).
          but those who hope 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. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
          I’ve read and sung this verse more times than I can count, but as I looked at it today in the NIV (second) translation, I had to go back to look at it in the NASB. Somehow, I’ve been misreading it for thirty-five years, and so has everyone I know. We have all taken this to mean that if we wait for the Lord, the Lord will give us new strength. God will do miraculous things if only we wait. 
          As I read it today, I find myself with a different perspective. Those who wait on the Lord or hope in the Lord will gain or renew their own strength. Those who wait for the Lord will not give up waiting. They will dig deep and keep their spirits up. They will encourage one another. 
          I can’t give up the truth that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. God can and does renew our strength. He does cause us to soar like eagles, to run and not get tired, and walk and not faint, but we can’t give up.

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