“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.” Isaiah 40:31.

My Father worked on the railroad, which took him away from home four to five days a week. He always carried a little black bag or grip for his things, and when he left for work, we would always say, “Daddy, bring us something back!” We would hug, kiss, and say our parting goodbyes. 

Our daily routine would resume. But when it was time to pick daddy up from the train station, and he came into the house…the first place my brother Reggie and I ran was for that black grip! We had no doubt that daddy had brought something home in it for us to enjoy . . . and sure enough, just as he promised, there would be a treat for us all!

If my own father, who is only human, kept his promises, then I can be even more confident that our Heavenly Father, who is all-sufficient, will never let us down. Think about the story of the Israelites’ captivity in Babylon.  

The prophesy had been told and they would have to remain in captivity for seventy years…but in the midst of what appeared a dire situation, a promise was given “For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10.God is faithful…He promised to show forth His goodness and mercy once again towards His people!

The waiting had begun for the promise of deliverance, but they were not told to wait in fear or remorse; rather, they were to live each day by faith and in peace, right where God had placed them for that specific time. “Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jeremiah 29:6-7.

Don’t overlook the blessings in God’s promise to His children. He said, “I have caused.” He is intentional. The situation may have seemed dire, but God was in total control! My friends, He is the same faithful and loving God today who is ordering our steps! “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Wherever you are waiting right now, God has a purpose for it. Even when things are painful or uncertain, we need to keep walking by faith as we wait for God’s promises. Nothing is happening outside of God’s will. Like the Israelites, we are exactly where God wants us to be. We can rest in His peace, which is greater than we can understand, knowing that all is well. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11.

So, let us take one day at a time, knowing that our waiting is not in vain. God’s goodness, compassion, love, and mercy will never fail. “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.” Isaiah 40:31.

Great is God’s mercy towards us all, rest in His promises!