Renewed Hope

Opening Reminders

Hi my love bugs! Welcome back to Only By Grace, my name is Katelynn and I’m so happy to be here with you guys today. Here we walk through the word of God together and share this very narrow walk alongside one another.

Remind them to subscribe if they haven’t already! Whether they are listening via apple or spotify or watching via YouTube.

Encourage them to interact in the comments and let me know where they’re listening from.

The Hook

Who is this video for?

For those who feel discouraged in the waiting, for those who feel like they’ve been doing all the “right” things/been obedient and faithful, but still haven’t received the promise. For those who have been feeling a bit hopeless in the “in between”

Elements:

Opening story:

Explain how I was feeling discouraged concerning dating and my desire for marriage. I had been doing great, but I was wrestling with God about my feelings of wanting some attention (explain how we’ll get into that in another video) and how I briefly started talking to someone and instantly knew that they weren’t my husband, but entertained it anyway. (DON’T GO INTO MUCH DETAIL, BE VAGUE). Thereafter, I had a conversation with someone else and felt discouraged when my flesh felt rejected. It felt like I might’ve been on the cusp of receiving what I had been wanting, but when it didn’t go the way I anticipated it, I felt hopeless.

Sometimes we can grow tired of feeling like we’ve been forgotten, like our prayers are going unanswered, like we’re missing the mark/not doing enough to “earn” the thing we’ve been praying for, or feel like we’re losing hope.

In the midst of sadness, when I felt rejected and discouraged, the Lord restored my hope.

How did he do that? **explain this, but let them know that He brought scripture to my memory that gave me comfort

He sent my friend to “randomly” text me and say that I had been on her heart and checked in on me. It prompted me to vent to her and she prayed for me. This is the importance of godly community! People who pray for you when you feel hopeless. People to encourage you and remind you of who God calls you and remind you how deeply loved you are.

Though I cried throughout the night, the next morning I felt overcome by joy. I had a heart filled with gratitude. I woke up in a great mood, in awe of God’s creation as I walked my dog that morning and continued my day in high hopes, without even realizing it until later! (weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning — this verse became so real to me!)

The Context

Isaiah is speaking to Judah, God’s people, who are facing coming judgement, exile, and what feels like abandonment from God. This chapter was a turning point in the the book. They were just made aware of the coming Babylonian conquest and knew that they were about to go into captivity.

The book of Isaiah is split into 3 sections (with a total of 66 chapters — like the 66 books of the bible, OT & NT).

Chapters 1-35 are prophetic — with lots of warning, judgement, rebellion and consequences.

Chapters 36-39 are historic

Chapters 40-66 are messianic — since chapter 40 is the initial turning point, it starts off with a lot of comfort, restoration and hope.

During this time the people were feeling like God had forgotten them, they were disheartened, feeling like God wasn’t really seeing what they were going through, like He wouldn’t intervene, like He wasn’t concerned about them.

Isaiah knew all too well how they felt because he himself had been troubled by these feelings many times, but he has also learnt enough about God to know that those feelings weren’t true. He knew that nothing was too small to be important to God or worthy of his attention or care.

Isaiah, through God, knew it was time to comfort His people. (GOD WILL SEND PEOPLE TO COMFORT YOU, LIKE HE DID ME WITH MIKA).

He started off by reminding them that the Creator of heaven and earth, know all of his creation by name, that He is the everlasting God, the covenant God, the almighty Father

The text is written in a sophisticated poetic form in order to address Israel’s emotions—fear, anger, and helplessness. It’s not just a cold, analytical, historical review; the text is clothed in beauty because it aims to comfort and build confidence for hurting people.

The Text

English Standard Version Chapter 40

31  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 NLT (New Living Translation)

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:27-31 MSG (The Message)

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “GOD has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? GOD doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:31 AMP (Amplified Bible)

But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. [Heb 12:1-3]

Unpack the “wait” for the Lord part:

wait in the Hebrew is “qavah” which means to twist, stretch (like that of a rope). It’s the tension of enduring and hoping. It’s an active wait, not passively waiting

For example, passively waiting would be waiting on God to do the thing for us, when really this is a partnership. Like when you’re in the gym growing and strengthening your muscles, you can wait for them to grow and not go to the gym at all (passively) or you can go to the gym and train your muscles and wait for them to grow — our actions are an outward expression of the hope within us. We HOPE that our body can be strengthened so we partner with our body in getting us there. In the same we, we HOPE that God has a plan and a purpose for us, we HOPE that God is working all things out for us, we HOPE that He is soverign and mighty and all-knowing so we DEPEND on Him and TRUST that He will do what He says He will. In the same way that we don’t yet see the growth in our muscles instantly in the process, it takes time, things within us are being refined — like our discipline is growing, our ability to withstand the pain our muscles go through as they grow, our habits are shifting to create this person whose lifestyle reflects that of someone healthy. We put on a NEW nature, not like the old person we were that used to stuff our faces and be lazy (though we may fall here and there — just as we do with sin, we no longer live a lifestyle of sin, but we fall short in areas and get right back up).

This “wait” or “hope” or “trust” is active, deeply expectant, filled with faith and looking forward to how God will move.

CSB bible study — “those who trusted God would have an unlimited source of strength.

It means to wait for his help; to trust in him, to put our hope or confidence in him. It is for those who are in circumstances of danger or want, and who look to him for his merciful interposition. Here it properly refers to those who were suffering a long and grievous captivity in Babylon, and who had no prospect of deliverance but in him. The phrase is applicable to all who feel that they are weak, feeble, guilty, and helpless, and who, in view of this, put their trust in Yahweh (when LORD is capitalized it represents the four Hebrew letters representing God’s name YHWH - Yahweh, it indicates the presence of God’s covenant name in the original Hebrew text). The promise or assurance here is general in its nature, and is as applicable to his people now as it was in the times of captivity in Babylon.

b. “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.”

There is a lot of action in this verse! Question, what do you need strength for if you aren’t carrying anything?

What happens to those who wait?

Their strength to carry whatever heaviness they have will be renewed — it doesn’t say they will be removed from the situation and everything will be all good, but it does say that they will have NEW STRENGTH to carry something

They shall mount up — this is movement, this is elevation (we’ll discuss this more in a minute)

They shall run their race (Matthew 24:13 “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ) — action of you running, not laying down and scrolling, not laying down and doing nothing, but actively running and not being tired

They shall walk (with Christ) and not faint. This walk is long and narrow, but he gives us strength to walk that very narrow path.

WE ARE CO-LABORERS WITH CHRIST.

What happens if we do not wait on the Lord?

We will remain low — spiritually.

We will not have endurance

We will be tired

We will be complacent/standstill/stationary — opposite of walking

We will faint

c. “shall renew their strength;”

renew is “chalaf” in Hebrew which means to exchange, replace, or change. It’s not just a transformation, but an exchange. So in exchange for your waiting you will be replaced with God’s strength. It is to reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.)

Romans 12:2 (Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.)

Colossians 3:10 (and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.)

Titus 3:5 (he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,)

Psalms 103:5 (who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.)

Human strength fails, even at its best. Only God can provide the strength needed for life’s challenges.

The strength is in the provider, not the provision or the thing you want (Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

What things are being renewed in the Lord?

outer self deteriorates, inner self renews (2 Corinthians 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” )

renewal transforms our mind, enabling us to discern God’s will (Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” )

new self experiences ongoing renewal in knowledge, conforming to God’s image (Colossians 3:10 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” )

salvation involves renewal through Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

d. “they shall mount up with wings like eagles;”

“mount” means to climb up on to; ascend, get on, get up on. In the Hebrew it’s the word “alah” meaning to ascend, rise, or go up — converying upward movement and elevation.

This isn’t just physical, but spiritual ascension, positioning you at higher altitudes where different perspectives and realities become visible.

Let’s unpack eagles wings:

Eagles’ wings are specifically designed to enable the bird to cruise at high altitudes, with eagles cruising about twice as high as jet aircraft normally fly at 80,000 feet.1 But the theological significance runs deeper. The eagle’s wings lock down in position to gain altitude so that if caught in a storm, the eagle can rise above it—no amount of turbulence can overcome the locked-down position, and the eagle rises higher until eventually out of the storm and flying above the turbulence.

When you mount up with eagle wings, you’re not escaping your circumstances but gaining the strength to transcend them spiritually.

The eagle itself embodies renewal through transformation. The eagle lives to a great age and sheds its feathers in spring, after which it appears with fresh strength and vigor, and its old age assumes the appearance of youth. By waiting on the Lord and focusing on His promises, you put on eagle’s wings, and in times of trouble, those eagle’s wings lock down and take you to higher altitudes—when life gets rough, you rise above the problems.

Why did Isaiah do the order of first mounting up on wings like eagles (flying), then running, then walking??

soar high on wings like eagles (NLT translation): means flying and they can go very high, higher than planes can, and they can withstand any weather or storm. Sometimes we first start off something with a high level of trust, feeling able to withstand anything that comes our way.

this could be the phase when young people aspire about their future and who they will become, flying on the wings of imagination. This is the initial surge of divine strength that elevates your perspective and fills you with vision and hope.

run and not be weary: maybe this means that as we are running our race, though we may get tired along the way, God will give us the strength so we will not and we will perservere. Thinking of someone running a marathon and getting out of breath and tired towards the end, God will remove that weariness as long as we are depending on Him.

this could represent middle aged people (like myself) when people no longer dream of soaring high but instead face a fight to maintain life amid many obligations. The shift from flight to running acknowledges a different season — less dramatic, more sustained, requiring endurance through the grinding of responsibility and circumstance.

walk and not faint: maybe after a very long journey you may feel faint, like you just need a break. You might want to sit down or feel dizzy, but as we put our hope in the Lord he will renew our strength.

this could indicate old age, when neither flying nor running is possible and the pace is considerably slower. Yet this final stage carries profound significange. Walking proves more difficult than flying because while crisis hours of life draw people to the something different — the ability to keep walking, day after day.

maybe this also means from youthful aspiration to middle-aged to elderly endurance.

the genius of this sequence lies in its realism. God doesn’t promise constant exhilaration or crisis-driven adrenaline. Instead, despite the age, we all need God and can claim His grace and strength through faith no matter what period of life we are in. Spiritual strength must sustain you through every season — the visionary heights, the exhausting middle years, and the long, quiet faithfulness of aging — each demanding a different expression of the same diving power.

The Application

You are not your source, you are not your strength, nor are the vices of the world. Your money isn’t the source, your job isn’t the source, your boyfriend or husband isn’t the source, your friends or family aren’t the source — your strength comes from God. What seems impossible for us to overcome, it possible for the Creator of the universe. The one who knit you together in your mother’s womb.

In those moments of despair, keep going back to Him. Focus back on Him. Philippians 4:8 NIV (New International Version) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Telling Him how you’re feeling, asking Him for help, trusting that He will help you get through this time. Do this before even going to friends or loved ones, then seek out godly counsel afterwards. Put on some worship music and cry to Him. The same way He restored my hope and I didn’t do anything special, is the same way He will do for you.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Psalms 30:5 NLT (New Living Translation)For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Get back in your word! This is a tool that we are so blessed to have access to. Find some foundational verses and study them. Memorize them. Write them down, think on them, repeat them, pray about them, until you remember them. Let these verses anchor you when you’re feeling down. Our feelings are not facts and we don’t have a bad life, just moments that don’t feel good.

Practice gratitude!!! It was helpful for me to start my day off in prayer, giving God thanksgiving and looking around me at all the things I do have. An attitude of lack or focusing on the problem keeps us there, we have authority, even over our minds. Our thoughts don’t control us, we are stronger than that!

The Invitation

Questions to reflect on:

What feelings/ideas/thoughts/lies are you focusing on more than you’re focusing on God’s nature and remembering what He’s done for you and others? OR, what can feelings/ideas/thoughts can you exchange for reminding yourself of what His word says?

Supporting Texts

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Philippians 4:8 NIV (New International Version)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Psalms 30:5 NLT (New Living Translation)

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.