Comfort My People With the Promise of God’s Strength

Isaiah 40:1, 28-31 (NKJV)

1 "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God…

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator

of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.

30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with

wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Judah and Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Most of its leading citizens had

been carried off as slaves, and a “remnant” was all that was left in the land. They had lost nearly

everything. They lost their country, their freedom, their homes and property. They had suffered

so much because of their sin and rebellion against God. The Lord had disciplined His people. He

had accomplished what He sat out to do. Now it was time to comfort His people after their great

loss.

When I was a child and had done something seriously wrong, which was not very often, my

mother would sometimes spank me, usually with one of my father’s old belts. I don’t ever

remember getting a spanking that I didn’t deserve. I bring it up now because after momma

spanked me, should would take me in her arms and comfort me. There is a time for discipline

and a time for comfort. At this point in Isaiah’s ministry, it was time for Judah to be comforted.

The Jewish people had truly suffered much.

We have been through a lot too, some of us more than others. It has been a hard year in many

ways. Some of us have suffered with illness. If we have not lost loved ones, others that we know

have. If we have not lost our homes to a hurricane, tornado or fire, we might know someone

who has. If we have not lost a job because of covid-19 or natural disasters, we probably know

someone who has.

Many of us are just “weary,” tired and worn out. Even if the pandemic has not caused us to

suffer significant personal loss, it has still been difficult and stressful. While it is an awesome

privilege and gift to be called to be a pastor of one of the Lord’s churches, ministers still get

tired, worn out and discouraged. Isaiah reminds his reader to whom everyone, no matter who

they are, should go to for comfort and strength.

Notice how God is described in Isa 40:28. God is:

 “The Everlasting God.” Therefore, He will always be there to help us no matter the day

or the year. He is…

 “The LORD,” Yahweh, the ancient One, who performed all the mighty acts by which He

brought His people out of Egypt. He is…

 “The Creator of the ends of the earth.” If He has the power to create the world, does He

not also have the power to help us in our time of need? Of course!

 “Does not become weary or tired.” God does not become tired, He is God almighty,

therefore, He always has the power and strength to help us.

 “His understanding is inscrutable.” The HCSB renders this portion, “…his understanding

no one can fathom.” In other words, God is so far above us that we can’t fully

comprehend or understand His mind or thoughts. God’s knowledge is infinite too.

It is this Creator/All-powerful/All-knowing God that promises His people…. “He gives strength

to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power” (Isa. 40:29)

“Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly” (Isa 40:30). At

62, I don’t have the strength and stamina that I had at 52, more or less at 22! Yet, God promises

strength to those who will seek Him and His ways.

“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like

eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary” (Isa 40:31).

Isaiah wrote, “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength…” What does it mean

to “wait for the LORD?”

It means to expectantly look to God to meet your need. It implies trusting Him to provide. It

implies having faith that He will provide. God promises that when we faithfully obey and trust

Him that He will give us “new strength,” whether we are walking, running or flying! He will

renew and strengthen us again so that we might continue to faithfully serve Him. When you are

tired, when you are weary, sure get some physical rest if you can, but rest in God, trust in Him,

look to him, spend time with Him, especially in prayer, praise and in the Word.

May God give each of you new strength for a new year that will be more than sufficient for

whatever new challenges come your way in life or in the service of the Lord. The same

Almighty God who has brought you this far, will guide you through 2021 too.

Rev. David Ross

Anson Baptist Association

Association Mission Strategist

December 30, 2020