Sermon for 2/7/21 ?? Minutes

Isaiah 40:21-31

This morning I'll be reading Isaiah chapter 40 verses 21 through 31.

And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

This chapter in Isaiah is written close to the time that Israel’s captivity is nearing an end. The people are weary from the things that they have had to endure and this was written to comfort them.

Isaiah 40:21–31 (HCSB) —

21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth? 22 God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the earth irrational. 24 They are barely planted, barely sown, their stem hardly takes root in the ground when He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind carries them away like stubble. 25 “Who will you compare Me to, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up and see: who created these? He brings out the starry host by number; He calls all of them by name. Because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Jacob, why do you say, and Israel, why do you assert: “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. 29 He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. 30 Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, 31 but those who trust 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 faint.

God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen.

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As I told you at the beginning,,, these words were written as it was getting close to the end of their captivity.

The people were aware that they were being punished and these words of comfort were intended to help them.

As we go through each week dealing with this pandemic,,, a comforting word can hopefully help us as well.

It seems like today,,, that we could all use extra strength to be able to get through each day as they come along.

These verses today will hopefully show you the way that you can receive all the strength that you will need.

So let's look at these verses today and see how they can help us in our walk with God this week.

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Verses 21 and 22 say: 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth? 22 God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

If we are honest,,, do we really think about how truly awesome God is?

Because if we did,,, we wouldn't need to wonder if God is able to help us out of this pandemic,,, or any other predicament that we have gotten ourselves into.

The Israelites were hearing encouraging words,,, but the Babylonians,,, at this time,,, were very powerful,,, and they couldn't see how they were going to be delivered.

These verses are intended for them,,, and us today,,, to give all of us hope,,, "if",,, we will just pay attention when we read,,, or listen as they are read!

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Verses 23 and 24 say: 23 He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the earth irrational. 24 They are barely planted, barely sown, their stem hardly takes root in the ground when He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind carries them away like stubble.

Again,,, these verses contain words of comfort.

Since God can control the powers that are in control,,, and those that want to be in control,,, these words will help the people cope during this time.

This doesn't mean that God is making all of the decisions going on around us,,, but He can make changes wherever He needs to if it will make His plan work the way that it needs to.

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Verses 25 and 26 say: 25 “Who will you compare Me to, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up and see: who created these? He brings out the starry host by number; He calls all of them by name. Because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing.

At night,,, all you have to do,,, is look up.

Look up and see all that God has created,,, just by speaking the words,,, and then think about the way that we are still learning about them.

We are just beginning to understand how vast of a universe we might be dealing with.

And I say might,,, because we don't know exactly what is out there,,, but,,, God does!

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Verse 27 says: 27 Jacob, why do you say, and Israel, why do you assert: “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?

He's reminding them,,, in an indirect way,,, that while they are being punished they might have these feelings,,, but God will still be with them.

Sometimes when we are going through tough times,,, it could be a time of punishment for us as well.

Not every time,,, that's something that you will have to decide through prayer,,, between you and God,,, just because you are going through a tough time doesn't mean that you are being punished.

But,,, if you are,,, all you need to do,,, is confess to whatever is wrong,,, then you can begin to move forward again in fellowship with God.

Then you can see that God will be with you,,, through all that you are going through.

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Verses 28 and 29 say: 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. 29 He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.

Isaiah is asking the question again,,, Do you not know?

Reminding them,,, and us today,,, that God is everlasting,,, Creator,,, and He never grows faint or weary,,, and,,, He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.

Unlike the youth in the next verse,,, which says,,,

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Verse 30 says: 30 Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall,

As it was back then,,, and it still is today,,, our youth are usually the most energetic.

I know that's not always the case,,, but more times than not,,, it's true.

But even they,,, with all of their youthful vigor and strength will eventually grow weary and could stumble and fall.

But not true for God,,, nor for those of us that trust in the Lord.

Look at the next verse,,, one of my favorites.

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Verse 31 says: 31 but those who trust 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 faint.

Among Isaiah’s original readers,,, those who trust in the LORD were believers who remained faithful to God.

They were the ones who would be restored.

For his readers in captivity,,, this looks forward to a future time,,, when the captives would be released and would return to their land.

Even though while in captivity they were weary,,, but the LORD would help them renew their strength and soar,,, like eagles,,, to be uplifted,,, emotionally and spiritually.

Today as we read these scriptures,,, we have the same chance that the faithful believer's had.

For those of us who trust 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 faint.

Without our faith in the LORD,,, we are not capable of doing anything for long without giving out.

But if God has given us something to do,,, He will supply us with everything that we will need.

"If",,, we will trust Him!

And if we trust Him,,, we will be uplifted,,, emotionally and spiritually!

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What wonderful words these are to hear today as we continue to fight our way through this pandemic,,, through sickness,,, financial problems,,, no matter what it is,,, just knowing that God will give us the strength to get through it,,, "if",,, we will trust Him.

Because as always,,, we can't do very much on our own,,, but nothing is impossible for God.

And as these words comforted the Israelites then,,, if we pay attention like we should,,, they will comfort us today,,, as well.