"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on 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
In this great chapter of comfort, Isaiah repeatedly lays out marvelous, Gospel rich truths regarding God and His work for His people that are designed to provide deep and rich encouragement to our very souls. God's proclamation through Isaiah right from the beginning sets the pace:
"“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”, says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “ Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (v. 1-3)
Isaiah goes on to tell of the revealed glory of the Lord (v. 5), the enduring Word (v. 8), good tidings, and the call to "Behold your God" (v. 9). He proclaims God's arm in ruling and tender feeding, gathering, and leading of His lambs (v. 10-11), etc. As we approach the end of this wonderful list of divine acts of power, grace, and love, we find Isaiah asking Israel in verse 27 why they said, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God”?"
What was Isaiah's response to their claim that they had been passed over? He began with two important questions, "Have you not known? Have you not heard?" Indeed, they had, but needed to be reminded of the truth that was well sufficient to silence all of their fears and distrust. These truths are sufficient to silence our fears and any trust issues as well, when they try to press in to our minds and hearts.
Isaiah begins with God, His person, and His attributes. For the everlasting I AM, the self-sufficient One who is from eternity and will be to eternity isn't deficient. He has His being of Himself, and therefore His perfection knows no bounds. He is the Lord, the Creator, the God who does not change (Malachi 3:6). Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, God is to be completely and fully trusted. Israel also needed to remember, as do we, that though we be weary and worn, our Lord is the God who upholds the whole of creation, and governs it all. He never faints or grows weary. Further, Isaiah says His understanding is unsearchable. God's wisdom is never at a loss, for His understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33). Therefore, He has infinite power, knowledge, and wisdom to give strength and relief to the sheep of His fold, His church.
Be comforted that God not only has almighty power, but He also willingly gives power to the weak and increases our strength (v. 29) in all the right ways, at the right time. Many of our weaknesses are made strong by the work and providence of God. Though we be feeble in spirit, the Lord by His grace renews us day by day in the inward man (2 Corinthians 4:16). He gives us the ability to put one foot in front of the other to press on for His glory. All the while such strength helps us to walk well, endure through trials, and bear our burdens as well help others with theirs (Galatians 6:2) Praise God for this!
Lest we be foolish like the youth who run headstrong in their own strength and become wearied and fall, hear the call to wait on the Lord, in verse 31, and take it to heart knowing the comfort that follows:
"but those who wait on 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." One of the great benefits our Lord gives us is that He is the one "who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:5)
Beloved, are you weary today? Be assured that God hasn't passed you by. Wait on Him. This is easy to read, easier to say in encouraging others, but often harder to do, isn't it? Even when we're weary and know we can't stay where we are, we don't want to wait on Him. In those moments, our timing is better than His and our strength will do the job, even if we have to drag ourselves along. Yet, the outcome is clear- failure in foolishness. The call remains- Wait on the Lord! Wait and completely rely on Him for strength in your times of need. For you can rest and not fret that the Spirit of the living God will renew you and grow you stronger and stronger in faith, and patience. He will grow you stronger in endurance to run and walk the race before you, as He bears your burdens and helps you persevere. As He does so, you will mount up with wings like eagles, flying strongly, swiftly, and high. How awesome it is to soar with wings that the Lord provides! Such a wonderful chapter that proclaims God, His work, His blessings, and His benefits. Such a wonderful passage with comfort for you today!
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