Series: The Word
Isaiah 40:27-31 ESV
Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV (Focus)
Isaiah 40:27-31 The Message
There have been times in my life (actually more times than I can count) when I get discouraged and tired of waiting.
I have to admit my frustration isn’t a lot unlike a toddler when they want what they want.
I’m not at all proud of that, but I do recognize it as part of my maturing process.
In that same vein, I get the distinct feeling that the Prophet Isaiah was seeing the children of God throwing a tantrum.
In the first part of Isaiah 40, the prophet sang of the wonders of God while he proclaimed the greatness of the Lord.
Then, this tiny shift brings it home.
God IS Great so why do you say your way is hidden and the right hand is disregarded?
In Isaiah 40:27 we read:
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
That’s the tantrum part from the children of God……
But, Isaiah will have none of it.
The Prophet fires back beginning in Isaiah 40:28 (which by the way he also threw a fireball at them in verse 21):
“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.”
Then in Isaiah 40:29-31 the Prophet tells them,
“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.”
In Isaiah 40:29-31 the Prophet reminds the children of God what God offers, what God has done and will do for them.
God gives power to those who are weak.
God increases strength.
God gives youths and young men who are exhausted renewed strength.
With God on their side they can take flight like an eagle.
They can run and not be weary.
They can walk anywhere and not get tired.
In The Message version of Isaiah 40:27-31 we read:
“Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,They run and don’t get tired, walk and don’t lag behind.”
So, what’s the key here?
Isaiah doesn’t tell the children of God they can snap their fingers and God will come running.
He doesn’t tell them they can stomp their feet and yell.
He doesn’t say they can demand that God will come running.
What he says is that “those who wait upon God” will be renewed and rejuvenated.
If there is a secret to how to connect with God, that’s it.
Sit with God. Wait. Spend quality time at the feet of God.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…turn off the Telly, the iPod, the iPhone or whatever device you have. The noisy sounds of our world have to be turned off to really hear God.
In silence, sit with God and wait.
Years ago I once asked my Spiritual Director, “for how long do I wait.”
He looked at me and smiled and he said, “for as long as it takes”.
What Isaiah promises the Lord will offer when we wait (for as long as it takes). We wait for the power of Almighty God in us, around us, and through us.
And folks, it IS worth the wait!
Spiritual Practice: Sit in silence
Wait. Give God your time…quality time for just you and God.
In God, Deborah
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