SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40-47
The recurring themes in the passage are frustration, discipline, and compassion.
God is frustrated by Israel’s reliance on idols and military powers, instead of on the only true God.
God announces His discipline, not to make them suffer but to show them their folly.
But God also reveals His compassion; He will not destroy them but rescue and restore them.
A day is coming when God will set things straight, and all people will be blessed.
Hints of the coming Messiah (God’s Rescuer) shine through as well (Isaiah 40:9-11, Isaiah 42:1-4).
Pay attention to God’s Father heart; God is not an angry deity, but a desperate Parent.
The God of the Universe longs to bless them, so that they can walk, run, even soar through life!
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:28-31)
God wants only the best for me – for us – yet we look elsewhere for happiness and hope.
We could be soaring, yet we are waddling in the muck… what’s with that?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for doing everything necessary to get my life back on track with God. Help me to see that there is no better way to live, than to soar with You!
The Israelites were going through this time of testing and being threatened by outside forces, and they felt abandoned by God. Now I don’t know about you, but that is about as terrifying a future as I can imagine. In spite of this desperate outlook, God lets his faithful know that He is still in control in these few verses from chapter 40. While the people of Israel knew about God, they had put all thoughts of God on the back burner. They no longer felt His presence or His leading.
In the middle of this desperate situation, Isaiah came to them with a word of encouragement from God. When he says “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” it is like Isaiah is saying “what I am about to say is important” He actually says this twice in this chapter, once in vs 22 and again in vs 28. He is saying “Pay attention”! God reminds the Israelites of how incomparable He is in this chapter. He is the creator of the universe – doesn’t that count for something? The strength of God cannot be compared to even the mightiest of men. Youths and strong men, the kind of people we see competing in the World Cup, grow weary, and stumble and fall. God will not grow tired or weary. God is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. In spite of His great power and strength and wisdom, the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe has chosen to love us and care for us and have a relationship with us.
Observations/Application
Comfort comes the Lord.
The Lord prepares the Way for His people through His people. They are instruments of His peace, lifting up His voice, spreading the Good News. Our God is a great God and there is none like Him. My God is an awesome God! He is the wind beneath my wings.
We are God’s chosen and He will give His people strength. He is the Lord and will help us. He is our Redeemer giving His people strength. Look and see what the Lord has done for the people. See His power and majesty. He is in charge. He will guide His people. God gives His people strength.
The Lord is the breathe of my life. Sing praises to His name. Sing praises. Sing a new song to the Lord. Hear and see. Have open ears and eyes and see Him active within His creation at all times. Understand.
God redeems His people. He gather His own. My God is faithful although I am fickle in my faith. God is my Redeemer through His power/grace/mercy. Help me daily to call upon Him and give Him the praise. He must be my All in all.
I need to have open ears and listen to His voice and follow. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Sing for Joy. Enjoy the day in joy for God has done mighty things for His people. Acknowledge the Lord the Creator for there is no other. He is the Creator God. Live for Him. Serve Him. He is my Deliverer and Strength. There is none other Who is like my God. He is my Saviour.
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news, good news;
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Refrain
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
He had no stately form, He had no majesty
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised and we took no account of Him.
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Refrain
It was our sin and guilt that bruised and wounded Him.
It was our sin that brought Him down.
When we like sheep had gone astray our Shepherd came
And on His shoulders bore our shame.
Refrain
Meek as a lamb that’s led out to the slaughterhouse,
Dumb as a sheep before its shearer,
His life ran down upon the ground like pouring rain
That we might be born again.
Refrain
Out from the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side
Yes we know, He is alive.