In January of 1969 the Red Skelton program aired on television for the first time. During one of his many shows, Mr Skelton recited the Pledge of Allegiance. His recitation style opened a clearer understanding of the words we all said every day in our schools. Many of us performed this task robotically and paid no attention to what the words meant. In adulthood, and particularly thanks to Mr.Red Skelton, we now not only understand more clearly, but because we do, we have a deeper respect for those words that seem forever engrained in our memories.
In the last week the Lord has faithfully continued to bring to my mind Isaiah 40:31. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Along with that verse, the Holy Spirit prodded me to revisit Red Skelton’s style of recitation and apply it to this scripture which you see below. Upon doing so, it brought about some interesting facts and a broader understanding of what God is saying in this passage.
The first point I would like to make before the breakdown of scripture is that I do not believe it is coincidental that the number 40 in biblical numerology means “trial and testing.” And number 31 means “Son or offspring”. The prophetic meaning means “having characteristics of.”
So we can clearly see then in Isaiah 40:31, that as believers we will be tested and tried. And if we wait for God, he will bring about in us, (in his own timing) the very characteristics of Sonship.
THEY: those ones —referring to a group of two or more individuals
that WAIT: To stay in place in expectation of, to remain stationary in readiness or expectation, a state or attitude of watchfulness and expectancy
UPON: used as a function word to indicate position in or in contact with an outer surface, indicate a source of dependence
the LORD: the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe, being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship
SHALL: used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
RENEW: restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection, to make new spiritually, to become new or as new
their STRENGTH: state of being strong, power of resisting attack, the capacity for exertion or endurance
they shall MOUNT: arise or ascend, to increase in amount or extent
UP: into a higher position or level, into a better or more advanced state, in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement, into possession or custody
WITH: indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement, indicate combination, accompaniment, presence, or addition
WINGS: a means of flight or rapid progress, the act or manner of flying
as EAGLES: birds of prey noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight
they shall RUN: to go without restraint : move freely about at will, to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step
and not GROW: to pass into a condition, become
they shall WALK: to make headway, advance by steps, to come or go easily or readily, to pursue a course of action or way of life, conduct oneself, behave
and not FAINT: lack courage and spirit, lacking strength or vigor
