"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.
He gives strength to the weary,
and to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
and vigorous young men stumble badly,
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."
(vs 28-31)
Isaiah 40 has been rich - 7 postings on this one chapter. There have been words of comfort (vs 1-5), words on the Word (vs 6-8), words about the Good Shepherd (vs 11), words about idolators (vs 18-20), and words about the idolatry of my own heart(vs 21-26).
This morning, as the chapter closes, the words are about the everlasting, creating, never tiring, all-wise God who gives strength to His weary ones. As I have so many times in this chapter, I will defer to Mr. Henry this morning. The devotional nature of His remarks have soothed my soul.
"God Himself is an almighty God. He must be so, for He is the everlasting God, and therefore with Him there is no decay. He is without beginning or end and therefore with Him there is no change.
"He is the Creator of the ends of the earth and therefore is the rightful ruler of all, and is as able to save His church as He was at first to make the world.
"There is no searching out of His understanding, so as to defeat its intentions. None can say, 'Thus far God's wisdom can go, and no further.'
"He faints not, nor is weary; He upholds the whole creation and governs all the creatures, and has power to relieve His church, when it is brought low.
"He gives strength to His people, and helps them to help themselves. He that is the strong God is the strength of Israel. He can help the weak. He will help the willing. He will help those who, in humble dependence upon Him, help themselves, and will do well for those who do their best.
"The youth and the young men are apt to think themselves stronger than they are. And they shall faint and be weary, shall utterly fail in their conflicts, and under their burdens; they shall soon be made to see the folly of trusting in themselves. But those that wait on the LORD, and by faith rely upon Him and commit themselves to His guidance, shall find that God will not fail them.
"They shall have grace sufficient for them: they shall renew their strength. They shall use this grace for the best purposes. they shall soar upward, upward towards God. Devout affections are the eagles' wings on which gracious souls mount up ({s 25:1). They shall press forward, forward towards heaven. They shall walk, they shall run in the way of God's commandments, cheerfully and with alacrity."
This morning I am thankful for a strong God, needful of gracious strength, and prayerful that He will make my affections devout in order that I will use the strength He gives for His glory!
In His glorious grace,
Lori
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