Isaiah 40:28-31
Resting is a struggle right now. I am not good at taking rest, I like to be doing things, to be learning and growing as a person. Even now as I sit on my couch at my house in Waseca, it is just past 7am and we are set to get 4-8” of snow and I am planning on what to do on this snow day. My family knows we will move at some point, but the unknown of it is stressful.
Maybe you are in that place right now also, the stress of waiting for the unknown to happen is weighing on your heart and your mind. The illness of a loved one, the loss of a job, children moving out, getting married or just a change in something that was consistent for so long. It is the unknown and it is a terrifying struggle to not know how it will turn out.
The people of Israel knew that God had a plan for them and that if they remained near to Him He would bless them. Throughout the book of Isaiah, we see the prophet calling for Israel to remain in right relationship to God, extending a warning cry that judgment would come if they did not stay near to the Lord. Isaiah communicated the words of God to the people of Israel recognizing that people are sinners, and they had need of God’s word.
The last third of the book of Isaiah speaks specifically to the 70 years of exile that Israel would face for not keeping God’s law. Babylon would take Israel into exile as a result of the sin they were currently committing. The warning is clear, but the warning did nothing to change people’s behavior.
In chapter 40 of the book of Isaiah the warning that judgment was coming was very real and specific. At the same time there was provision extended, a provision of God’s blessing in the midst of struggle. God’s promise to the people of Israel is that you will face judgment, but I am not far from you. Your sin needs judgment, but I have not abandoned you. He prophecies over them in Isaiah 40:28-31:
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.
During times of uncertainty we can look to this passage and learn some truths about God’s actions. We recognize God’s sovereignty, wisdom and planning; He is Lord and we can trust in His plan. He is the giver of strength, recognizing our stumbling and weaknesses. He looks for our trust in Him, and as we trust in Him He will build our faith to face any struggle that comes. If your actions are taking you further from God then turn back to Him in repentance. If you are in the midst of change and the unknown of the future has you burdened, take it to Jesus and ask for His strength to carry it. Trust in Him by waiting on Him to do His sovereign work.