"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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 40:28-31 ESV
In the first chapters of Isaiah, he is giving Israel undesirable news. They had broken their covenant with God; the result is their exile, driven from their kingdom into foreign lands. Those are the facts; it would happen. Although guaranteed, they are not to lose hope. They would be delivered. They were God's chosen, and a remnant would persevere.
Like Israel, if there is ever a time, we need to hear a message of hope it is right now. Many of us today feel exiled. The freedoms we enjoyed a little over six months ago are severely restricted. The questions that begin this passage serve as a reminder of the hope we enjoy through God. God, who created heaven and earth, is still working. We have the assurance we are not forgotten. We do not know how much longer our exile will last, but Christ gives us hope in our waiting, and in the waiting, we find strength.
This passage is also an invitation to share this hope with others. "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God."
God, we give you thanks for the hope we find only through you. We have absolute confidence our deliverance comes from you. Please teach us patience in our waiting and strength in our exile. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
