Isaiah Ch40v27-31 - God Will Strengthen You

Well, last Sunday evening, Kirstie and I left Ennis. We'd been up there for the weekend and we were making our way home.

As you heard in the news, as we did, there'd been warnings of snow, rain and ice.

But I assured Kirstie with great confidence, we're going to be all right.

Don't you think we should wait until the morning?

No, we'll be fine. Just a bit of snow.

With promises made, we took off.

Not long into the journey, snow got heavier and deeper.

Two hours later, there we were stuck five kilometres outside of Charleville in a queue of traffic getting cold.

My promises of getting us safe home were beginning to look in doubt.

And as it got darker and we weren't moving, we prepared for a long night.

You see, sometimes what is promised is different from our reality.

Sometimes there's this massive gap between what God says and what we actually experience.

Well, that was the situation for God's people in Isaiah 40.

Isaiah the prophet was forewarning God's people that they would be in troubled times.

Just go back to chapter 39, verse 5.

The prophet forewarns the people that troubled times lie ahead.

Isaiah speaks to the king, verse 5.

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah,

Hear the word of the Lord Almighty.

The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon.

Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

Well, it wouldn't be just his possessions, but if we were to read on, we would discover that Babylon, the up-and-coming superpower,

would take all God's people off into exile.

But with this word of warning came a wonderful word of promise.

Chapter 40, verse 1.

It's almost a don't fear, don't worry.

Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.

Troubled times may come, but I'm going to rescue you and deliver you.

Chapter 40, verse 10.

See, the sovereign Lord comes with power.

And he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him.

And his recompense accomplishes him.

There will be blessing.

Don't worry.

Don't fear.

Our sovereign God is going to come and he will bring you back home.

Well, promises may have been made.

But reality told a different story.

What God says and what we experience can seem to be far apart.

You see, when these difficult days came, when the exile became a reality, the people lost all hope.

Now, the situation of God's people then is really a picture of God's people like us today.

Because we're living in some sense in spiritual exile.

We're far away from our true home.

Our eternal home with God in his eternal kingdom.

And we long for that home.

And when troubles come, we begin to doubt.

Am I going to make it?

Can we trust God to do what he says?

Will he comfort, care for his people?

Is he going to bring them home?

Well, let's now turn to the end of Isaiah 40, which we read.

And we're going to look at this.

Three simple words can summarize what we're going to look at.

Forgotten, assured, and strengthened.

So here's the first one.

Forgotten.

Forgotten by God.

Verse 27.

Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord?

My cause is disregarded by my God?

Has that been your experience over the last year?

That sometimes it seems that God just doesn't care.

That my life is hidden from God.

Or that God has run out of all his comfort.

And my life is disregarded by my God.

What God says, and what we seem to experience, are worlds apart.

If God is so loving, then why do I have to deal with so many trials in my life?

And if God were so sovereign and so powerful, then why doesn't he intervene now?

And end all the heartache and all the trouble.

We feel abandoned.

We begin to doubt and wonder.

We stop seeking God.

We stop praying and reading our Bibles.

And, well, what's the point?

My way is hidden.

My cause is disregarded.

God no longer sees me.

He no longer hears me.

Like the writer of Psalm 42, we cry out,

I say to God, my rock,

Why have you forgotten me?

You see, sometimes the dark realities of life seem to cover over the bright promises of God.

Will God ever be my helper again?

Can I trust God to keep me in 2025?

Will he bring me home?

Well, God answers us because he does see and he does hear.

So second, assured by God.

Look at verse 28.

God responds to the questioning and the complaints

and says to us,

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

Do you not remember all that I have said to you?

Just listen to my words again.

It's not that God has forgotten us.

It's we who have forgotten what God has said.

So what does God say to us in our doubts?

Well, we're presented with four wonderful truths,

four wonderful assurances

that will enable us to trust God

in what lies ahead.

First,

God is everlasting.

Verse 28.

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God.

No one made God.

You and I were all made.

We're all created.

But God?

Well, God simply exists.

The very first verse in the Bible tells us,

in the beginning,

God.

There was never a time when God was not.

God is and God always will be.

He is the everlasting,

the eternal God.

Now that means

His word

is everlasting.

Just look back to verse 8.

Same chapter,

verse 8.

The grass withers.

The flowers fall.

Everything will rot and decay

and become no more.

But the word of our God

endures forever.

God is everlasting.

everlasting.

And that means

His word

is everlasting.

His promises

are eternal.

He will not

fail

any one of you.

He will do

exactly

what He says.

He will comfort you.

He will care for you.

And He will strengthen you.

So God is

everlasting.

Next we're told

that God is

Creator.

Follow on in verse 28.

He is the Creator

of the ends

of the earth.

He made this

vast universe

in which we live.

Go outside.

This is an exercise

for us to do

on a clear night.

A rare night

when it's clear.

And look up

at the skies.

The nearest planet

or star

to us

is

the moon.

It reflects

the sun's light

to earth.

It takes

about 1.3 seconds

for the light

to reach earth.

Now if you were

to look

further beyond

you might remember

Orion's belt.

You know those

three stars

in a row.

Just below that

is another star

called Nebula.

It takes

1600 years

years

for the light

of that star

to reach

earth.

Extraordinary.

Beyond that

there is a cluster

of stars.

It's almost

kind of

just like a

just a mess.

You can't really

work out

what they all are.

Well it's a galaxy

called Andromeda.

Somebody counted.

I'm not sure how.

300 billion stars.

You know how long

it takes for the light

to reach from there

to here?

2.5 million

years.

The world

is big.

Look at

verse 25.

To whom

will you compare

me?

Or who is

my equal

says the

Holy One?

Lift up your

eyes.

Look to the

heavens.

Who created

all these?

He who

brings out

the starry host

one by

one

and calls

forth each

of them by

name because

of his

great power

and mighty

strength

not one

of them

is missing.

You see

this God

who designed

and ordered

the universe

in all

its fastness

made you.

And if

he knows

the stars

by name

how much

more does

he know

you?

And if

his mighty

power and

strength

holds this

universe in

existence

with all

those stars

and planets

spinning

round

how much

more is

his mighty

power

got a

grip of

you?

God is

everlasting.

God is

creator.

And God

is self

sufficient.

Look at

verse 28.

He will

not grow

tired or

weary.

God

doesn't need

me time.

or down

time.

He doesn't

switch off

or go

out or

disappear.

He doesn't

need help

or assistance.

He never

yawns

or tires

or rests

or sleeps.

He is

utterly

and completely

self

sufficient.

He depends

on no one

and needs

nothing.

But us

oh how

we need

God.

How

dependent

are we

on him.

He is

always there.

Always

attentive.

Always

listening.

Always

watching.

Always

knowing.

Never

ever

wearying

in his

attention

towards

you.

Your

words do

not get

lost

in the

midst of

all the

cries

of the

world's

population.

He never

tires

of hearing

what you

have to

say.

God

the

all

sufficient

one

loves

you

deeply.

He's

everlasting.

He's

creator.

He is

all

sufficient.

And look

at the

end of

verse

28.

His

understanding

no one

can fathom.

God

is

wise.

There's

so much

we just

do not

understand.

Why

does the

war

rage on

in Ukraine

and Palestine?

why are

these

fires

raging

in

California?

Why

are

thousands

upon

thousands

of

people

having

to leave

their

homes

in

South

Sudan

and

Ethiopia?

Why

do we

have to

walk

through

times

of

loss

and

grief?

Why

do we

seem to

have to

face

one

struggle

after

another?

We

don't

understand

because

we are

not

God.

Look

back at

verse

14.

Verse

14.

Whom

did the

Lord

consult

to

enlighten

him?

Who

taught

God

the

right

way?

Who

of the

world's

people

taught

him

knowledge

or

showed

him

the

path

of

understanding?

No.

God

is

all

knowing

and

all

wise.

He

orders

and

determines

everything

and

everyone

according

to

his

plan

and

purpose.

This

wise

God

is

over

your

life.

There's

no chance,

circumstance,

no random

event.

In

his

wisdom,

he works

all things

for our

good.

No,

I

struggle,

I

cannot

fathom

his

ways.

I

do

not

understand

what

God

is

up

to.

But

I

can

trust

him.

You

see,

God's

word

gives

us

assurance.

When

troubles

come,

when the

darkness

of reality

seems to

cover the

brightness

of God's

promises,

listen,

again to

what his

word

says.

I am

the

everlasting

creator.

I am

the

all

sufficient

wise

God.

I

care for

you.

I

will

keep

you.

I

will

not

let

you

go.

I

will

bring

you

home.

In

fact,

he

will

give you

the

strength

that

you

need

day

by

day.

So

forgotten?

Not at

all.

We are

assured

by God

and

third,

we are

strengthened

by God.

Verse

29.

He

gives

strength

to the

weary

and

increases

the

power

of the

weak.

Weary

is

when

we're

overwhelmed

by

life.

And

weak

is

when

we

are

unable

to

do

anything

about

it.

The

perfect

storm,

weary

and

weak.

Maybe

you're

weary

of

work.

The

pressure

from those

around

you

never

lets

up.

And

in

your

weakness,

you

can

give

no

more.

Perhaps

you're

weary

of a

relationship.

It

just

seems

to

get

worse.

Nothing's

changing.

And

in

your

weakness,

you're

at a

loss.

Maybe

you're

here

today and

you're

just

weary

of

church.

All

the

serving

and

all

the

helping.

And

in

your

weakness,

you've

reached

your

limit.

You

see,

life

hits

us,

doesn't

it?

Leaving

us

mentally

exhausted,

emotionally

drained,

physically

wrecked,

and

spiritually

broken.

Will

we make

it through

another

year?

Well,

remember,

we are

not

forgotten.

God

gives

us

strength.

strength.

Verse

29.

He

gives

strength

to the

weary

and

increases

the

power

of the

weak.

What

good news

for people

like us

today.

God is

not hidden

from you.

He's not

disregarding

you.

Graciously

and generously,

our

almighty

God

will

give you

strength.

But what

kind of

strength

can we

expect?

What's the

strength he's

going to

give to

me?

Is he

going to

give me

strength so

that I'm

never going

to be

tired again?

Am I

going to

have this

power so

that I

won't get

sick again?

am I

going to

be able

to run

fast?

Because I'm

only able

to walk

slow right

now.

What

strength

are we

going to

be given?

Well,

look at

verse 30.

Even

youths

grow tired

and weary.

Young

men

stumble

and fall.

Even

those with

boundless

energy.

If you

like,

the fittest

athlete,

the strongest

soldier.

Little

kids who

seem to

have that

inbuilt

Duracell

battery.

They all

need to,

at some

stage,

stop and

rest and

sleep.

They all

crash and

burn and

stumble and

fall.

We all

need to

rest.

And if

they need

strength,

how much

more do

we who

are weak

and weary

need it?

Verse 31.

So those

who hope

in the

Lord will

renew their

strength.

Our

hope is

in the

everlasting

God,

the

self-sufficient

wise one,

the covenant

God who

comes to

his people,

who makes

his promises

and keeps

his promises,

the God

who came

to us

in person,

in the

person of

Jesus Christ,

the God

who says

to us,

come to

me,

all who

are

weary

and

burdened,

and I

will give

you rest.

For I

am gentle

and humble

in heart,

and I

will give

you rest

rest for

your

souls.

Hear the

invitation

to come

to Jesus

who knew

true weakness

and comes

and gives

us strength

today.

So what

is this

strength

that we

can expect?

Well,

four

simple

applications

that I

hope we

can take

away

and ask

the Lord

to give

us.

Here's the

first one,

strength to

accept your

weakness.

You see,

we're not

immune to

tiredness or

sickness.

Our bodies

and our

minds break

down and

slow down.

And we're

all only

fooling

ourselves to

think that

we can

keep

powering

on.

rather than

assume we

are strong,

the Bible

teaches us

to accept

our

weakness.

The

apostle Paul

was reminded

of this.

You can

follow on

the screen.

God said

to him,

my grace

is sufficient

for you

for my

power is

made perfect

in weakness.

And Paul

responded,

therefore I

will boast

all the

more gladly

about my

weaknesses so

that Christ's

power may

rest on me

for when

I am

weak,

then I

am strong.

You see,

there is a

strength that

comes from

God

when we

collapse

into him

in our

weakness.

Second,

there is a

strength that

is experienced

by prayer.

How are we

to get

this

strength?

Well,

we are

given that

strength as

we ask

God for

it.

Listen to

how we

should

pray.

This is

to the

church in

Colossae.

We

continually

ask God

to fill

you

because you

are empty.

being

strengthened

with all

power

according to

his glorious

might so

that you

may have

great

endurance

and

patience.

All that

we need

to keep

following

on.

Strengthened

with all

power.

You see,

through humble,

prayerful

dependence,

we receive

from him

his mighty

strength.

Third,

a strength

which

waits

on God.

Yes,

we're

promised

strength,

but it's

strength for

each circumstance,

a strength

that God

gives,

not all

at once,

but moment

by moment

as we

daily

wait

upon

the

Lord.

Again,

the Apostle

Paul knew

this

and puts

it like

this.

I have

learned

to be

content

whatever

the

circumstances.

I know

what it is

to be

in need

and I

know what

it is

to have

plenty.

I have

learned

the secret

of being

content

in any

and every

situation.

I can

do all

this

through

him who

gives me

strength.

Notice

it's not a

strength to

do whatever

we desire

or just

because you

write it on

a little

wristband

that you

win the

match.

Whether

we are

sick

or well,

fed up

or fueled

up,

falling

down,

or going

on.

His

strength

is given

to you

each

moment.

A strength

that will

be sufficient

for that

time to

do what

God calls

you to

do.

A

strength

that waits

on the

Lord.

strength.

And

fourth,

strength

that will

get us

home.

Here's

where the

strength

comes to

in all

its

reality.

A

strength

that will

bring us

home to

our

eternal

rest,

God's

kingdom

forever.

Listen

to this

prayer.

prayer.

May he

strengthen

your

hearts

so that

you will

be blameless

and holy

in the

presence of

our God

and Father

when our

Lord Jesus

Christ comes

with all

his holy

ones.

The one

who calls

you is

faithful.

will.

And who's

going to

do it?

He

will do

it.

You are

not

forgotten.

Your

strength

will be

renewed.

He

will

bring

you

home.

As

Kirsty

and I

sat

waiting

in the

snow,

we

longed

for

home,

to be

safe,

to be

warm.

And then

I saw

in the

mirror

strange

lights,

orange

flashing

lights,

snow

plows

and

gritters

to the

rescue.

The

way was

cleared.

We

got

home.

I

told you

so.

Well,

our

powerful

God

has

come

to

us

and

he

has

cleared

the

way

by

his

son.

And

he

through

his

son

will

give

us

all

the

strength

we

need

moment

by

moment

through

every

obstacle

and

every

trouble

and

every

hurdle

that

we

will

face.

Verse

31

God

comforts

you

God

will

keep

you

and

God

will

give

you

the

strength.

Let's

pray.

pray.

Father,

we

confess

to

you

we

so

often

feel

weak

and

weary.

overwhelmed

and

powerless

to do

anything

about

it.

What

good

news

you

have

given

us

today

in

your

word.

Father,

please

renew

our

strength.

Renew

our

trust.

Give

to

each

person

here

all

that

they

need

to

face

everything

they

go

through.

Grace

and

mercy

and

all

that

is

required.

We

trust

you,

our

everlasting

creator

God,

our

self-sufficient

and

wise

God.

We

trust

you

and

we

thank

you.

Amen.

We're

going to

sing an

old hymn,

not too

old,

for those

of you

who

might

consider

themselves

old.

If

you

know

it,

sing

it

out

and

help

those

who

don't.

But

we

trust

in

you,

our

shield

and

our

defender.

We

don't

fight

alone

against

the

foe,

strong

in

your

strength,

safe

in

your

keeping

tender.

What a

great

song.

Let's

stand

together

and

encourage

one

another

in

these

words.

And

We trust in you, our shield and our defender

We do not fight alone against the foe

Strong in your strength, safe in your keeping tender

We trust in you and in your name we hold

Strong in your strength, safe in your keeping tender

We trust in you and in your name we hold

In your name, O captain of salvation

In your dear name, all other names above

Jesus, our righteousness, our sure foundation

Our Prince of Glory and our King of Love

Jesus, our righteousness, our sure foundation

Our Prince of Glory and our King of Love

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling

And needing more each day your grace to know

Yet from our hearts, a song of triumph, healing

We trust in you and in your name we hold

We trust in you and in your name we hold

We trust in you and in your name we hold

We trust in you, our shield and our defender

Yours is the battle, yours shall be the praise

When passing through the gates of dazzling splendor

Victors we rest in you through endless days

Our Father God, we thank you that you are mighty

In strength and power

You will not give up on us, you will not fail us

You will bring us home

We praise you, we thank you

Amen

Please take your seats

I want to welcome you all to the Lord's Supper

Bread and juice, food and drink are provided to strengthen you today

What's this meal that renews our strength?

Well it's a meal we come to where we remember ultimately

Jesus and his death for us

Because when we eat the bread together

We are remembering Jesus

His body broken for us

Dying in our place

Where we can come and confess our sin

And receive forgiveness

And as we drink

So we come in faith

Remembering his great promises to us

Which are sealed by his blood

For us forever

Who is this food and drink for?

Well those who are weak and weary

For those who stumble and fall

Those who know they have failed

And have not followed the Lord as we should

So can I welcome you

To the table

Where today we remember Jesus

Bring your weakness

And your weariness

To him

Why?

Because those who hope in the Lord

Will renew their strength

If you are trusting in him

If your hope is in him today

Then eat of this bread

Remember him

Drink of this juice

And trust his promises afresh

He will keep you

He will watch over you

He will not fail you

A table

Of his commitment

And loyal love

To us today

When Jesus was with his disciples

He took bread

And he broke it

And said this is my body

Which is given for you

As we take the bread

We take a piece

We'll hold on to it

And then we will eat it

Together

But as we wait

Use it as a time

Of personal confession

To bring your sin

Before the Lord

And ask for his forgiveness

Afresh

Thanks Nick and Trish

Thanks

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Father, we do not hide from you, but we simply confess our sin before you.

And thank you that where there is confession of sin, there is forgiveness of all of our sin.

So let us eat together now in thanksgiving.