ISAIAH 40: Chris Tomlin, singer songwriter wrote a song titled, Everlasting God. Strength will rise, As we wait upon the Lord

Transcription

1 DON T YOU KNOW? ISAIAH 40:28-31 Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Introduction Sing the chorus to Isaiah 40:31 Chris Tomlin, singer songwriter wrote a song titled, Everlasting God. The lyrics were taken from today s Scripture passage: Strength will rise, As we wait upon the Lord Our God, You reign forever, Our hope, our strong deliverer, You are the everlasting God The everlasting God, You do not faint, You won't grow weary Our God, You reign forever, Our hope, our strong deliverer, You are the everlasting God The everlasting God, You do not faint, You won't grow weary You're the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need You lift us up on wings like eagles

2 When Lincoln Brewster recorded this song, at the end a small child reads this passage from the New Living Testament version of the Bible. The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 1 God Transcends All Powers Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard This question is rhetorical and not meant to be answered. The previous verses discuss the problem with Israel. They have lifted themselves above God in their actions and ways. They believe what they do is hidden from God and that God just doesn t care what they do. The prophet Isaiah is reproving them for their complaining that God has forsaken them and that God does not keep His promises toward them. Of course this is ridiculous. But Christians today react in much the same manner. Many that know that God is God, complain that He doesn t answer their prayers and therefore in their minds, He has forsaken them. If you find yourself in that position this morning, please listen to the words of Isaiah. Answering the question the everlasting God The Israelites know who God is. They have been taught from birth. The Father in the family is charged with teaching his wife and children about God and His ways. God is the Hebrew word elohiym meaning the creator and ruler of the universe, the supreme God 1 Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Is 40:28 31). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

3 the LORD Whenever you see the translators capitalize each letter in the word LORD, it means Yehovah or Jehovah. This is the national name of the God of the Jews. This is the expression of the self-existent, eternal, and everlasting God. They know that Jehovah is the I AM. In Exodus 3:14 God reveals His name as Yahweh, meaning to be. Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. He is before and after time and stands outside of time. He does not number his days like man. the Creator of the ends of the earth Jehovah Elohim is the Creator; Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: The phrase, the ends of the earth, encompasses all the earth. fainteth not, neither is weary Even though God is self-existent and the creator of all things, He is never fatigued of exhausted so that He cannot protect those that He loves. His power never diminishes. there is no searching of his understanding By reason and deduction, the Creator of all things must be infinitely wise. Look through a microscope or a telescope and you can see the proof of the wisdom of God. There is proof of boundless skill in the works of his hands, and it is impossible for finite mind fully and adequately to search out all the proofs of his wisdom and skill. Man can see only a part - a small part, while the vast ocean, the boundless deep of his wisdom, lies still unexplored. This thought is beautifully expressed by Zophar in Job 11:7-9: (Barnes, Notes on the New Testament, Explanatory and Practiclal, 1957) Job 11:7-9 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

4 He Gives Power and Strength Isaiah 40:29-30 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: This verse is an example of the Grace that God offers to man. Jehovah Elohim is omnipotent and yet He gives power and strength freely to those that love Him. This act of kindness from God should help the people put their trust in Him and to call upon Him for help, relief and assistance. Hebrews 12:11-13 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Trust Has Its Reward 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. But contrasts the previous statement with that which follows. they that wait upon the LORD Refers to those that seek out God. The Hebrew word for wait is qavah wait, hope, look eagerly for, the sense of expecting or to lie in wait for. It carries with it a trust in God so much that you put your trust and confidence in the LORD shall renew their strength the result of those that seek out and look eagerly for God to work in their lives is a renewed strength. The Hebrew word renew, commonly means to change, to alter; and then to revive, to renew, to cause to flourish again. What a beautiful picture of the work of God in the lives of the believers. they shall mount up with wings as eagles Robert Lowth translates this 'They shall put forth fresh feathers like the moulting eagle;' and in his note on the passage remarks, that 'it has been a common and popular opinion that the eagle lives and retains his vigor to a great age; and that, beyond

5 the common lot of other birds, he moults in his old age, and renews his feathers, and with them his youth.' He supposes that the passage in Ps 103:5, 'So that thy youth is renewed like the eagles,' refers to this fact In accordance with this opinion, the Septuagint renders this passage, 'They shall put forth fresh feathers (πτεροφυησουσιν pterophuesousin ) like eagles.' 2 they shall run, and not be weary and they shall walk, and not faint When I was in high school, I ran the 880 yard dash, if you could call it that. It was approximately a half mile, two times around a normal track. While it wasn t a sprint, you would have to get into your stride very quickly and then hold that until close to the last 110 yards where you would increase your pace until you crossed the finish line. Long distance runners know that there comes a time when you are totally exhausted, fighting to fill your lungs, your feet hurt, your legs are cramping and suddenly, you catch your second wind. Physically something comes over your body where you re not exhausted or fighting to breathe. Your breathing is no longer labored. You were fighting just to live and now it is like you are fresh again. Those who trust in God will be vigorous, elevated, unwearied; God will sustain and uphold you, and in his service you would never faint. The experience of believers waiting on the Lord will find their faith and their heart are invigorated as their affections toward God have been raised above the world. Now you have the strength to overcome the trial set before you. The ministry and living for Jesus is met without complaining, to engage in arduous duty without fainting, to pursue the perilous and toilsome journey of life without exhaustion, and to rise above the world in hope and peace on the bed of death. (Barnes, Notes on the New Testament, Explanatory and Practiclal, 1957) Conclusion How can we receive a portion of God s power in order to endure trials? First, one must come to the realization that God s strength is needed. 2 Robert Lowth, (1791), Isaiah: A New Translation, from the digital library of Oxford University

6 Second, in 40:31 the means of overcoming these problems is to tap into God s strength (kōaḥ; as in v. 29) by finding hope in the Lord. Strength is available to replace, exchange, renew (yahălîpû) those who are worn out. Third, a prerequisite for this transformational change is the placement of all expectations or hope (qāwâ) in the Lord. This act of trust will enable God to replace human weakness with the powerful metaphorical soaring wings of an eagle (cf. Exod 19:4; Deut 32:11). Their weary legs will be transformed into strong legs that run fast; the fainting person will be able to walk for miles. Trust is never easy, but it is the key to unlocking God s power. Trust enables people to walk the path (40:31) that God has chosen for their lives (whether it be pleasant or unpleasant) without growing weary or wanting to quit. 3 Isaiah 40:25-27 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Psalms 37:1-5 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give Publishers. 3 Smith, G. (2009). Isaiah (Vol. 15B, p. 122). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman

7 thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Robert C. Crowder