Isaiah 40:31
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.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
This passage has had
special meaning for me since the early 1980s, when my mother asked me to
design a cross-stitch pattern to include these words. I can’t remember
if she stitched it or I did, but the piece was framed and hangs above
her desk today.
This verse is a favorite for many and was even
featured in the movie, “Chariots of Fire*,” which tells the true story
of two British athletes who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics in
Paris. Harold Abrahams – a Jew – was set to run against Eric Liddell,
known as the “Flying Scotsman,” in the 100-meter race. However, Liddell
discovered that the race was to be held on Sunday, and this conflicted
with his Christian convictions to keep the Sabbath for worship.
Arrangements
were made for Liddell to switch and run in a 400-meter race on another
day of the week…and he was given little hope of doing well in a sprint
four times the distance with which he was familiar. On the Sunday of
the 100-meter race, Liddell delivered a sermon at the Paris Church of
Scotland, in which he cited Isaiah 40:31. And the following Tuesday,
Liddell ran the race of his life, defeated all other runners in the
“400,” and won the gold medal. In the movie, a friend is shown handing
Liddell a piece of paper before the start of the race that contained a
scripture verse from 1 Samuel 2:30 and reminded him…“He that honors me, I
will honor.”
When I read Isaiah 40:31 today, I picture the
scenes in “Chariots of Fire” where Liddell is racing down the beach with
a sense of peace and complete abandon – and the victory scene when he
completes his race in the Olympic Stadium of Colombes. Now, when I read
this verse, I not only think of my mother’s needlework piece…I also
envision the runners in the 1924 Olympics – and I am reminded of the
steadfast faith and courage of Eric Liddell.
What does this mean
for you and me today? I believe that Liddell’s character in “Chariots
of Fire” said this best...” I want to compare faith to running in a
race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You
experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if
you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe
your dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say,
‘Believe, have faith,’ in the face of life's realities? I would like to
give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have
no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his
own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?
From within. Jesus said, ‘Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If
with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.’
If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a
straight race.”
We are all in a “race” today. Are you soaring
on the wings of eagles and trusting God to carry you when you are too
weak to continue? Are you honoring God by your efforts…by your
steadfast faith in Him to see you through anything and everything?
Isn’t it time you were? Will this be the day that you allow God to
power your race? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* Chariots of Fire - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082158/
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