Isaiah 40 has a lot of good stuff that struck me as I was reading it. Here are some highlights:
Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers, the flowers fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”
I am so thankful for that. God is absolutely trustworthy. What He says He will do. His promises are sure and steadfast so when you read any of His great promises you can know with absolute certainty that it’s going to happen.
One of the things in my study of world religions, you never really know if you beat the cycle or make it to their afterlife. There is no assurance that once you finish these steps you break the wheel. To me, that could get depressing, that could get frustrating. But God’s Word provides us with amazing assurance because we have seen the many prophecies which were fulfilled about Christ which came to pass. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mark and Luke say the same thing).
We can have absolute assurance in the word of God and the promises that we read it in. He is so faithful and true.
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Isaiah 40:11, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
in His arms He will gather the lambs and carry them
in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
I just love the picture of God being our shepherd and His great care for us. We think of the beautiful Psalm 23. He will always take care of us. He will, not abuse or hurt, but gently lead the younger sheep. I just can’t put it all into words but I pray we all continue to grasp how much He loves us and cares for us. The fact that He sent His only Son to take our place says a lot. May we all know His great care today. Meditate on His care for you.
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Isaiah 40:28-31, “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.
Do you ever get tired? Dumb question, I know none of us gets tired (much sarcasm here). Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We can become weary, tired, worn out, ready to give up, exhausted because of all the demands on our lives. Here is one of those great promises, that He will give strength to the weary, new strength so that we will run and not get tired, we will walk and not become weary. The Psalms cry out He is our srength and song.
How often do you rest, how often do we sit at His feet and allow Him to renew us? He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores me soul (Psalm 23:2-3a). His care of us is just that to take care of us but we need to listen and stop and rest in Him. This is where the problem can lie. As I look at my schedule for the week, where can I find time to do this, I’ve got this to do and that to do. We need to plan time in our week to be with Him so that our tank light doesn’t go off and then were really spent. We need to daily fill ourselves with Him and allow Him to strengthen us.
This world will mess with you, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy and you may feel dead by the end of the week. So, make time for Him, allow Him to restore you daily. Let the words of Scripture be life, peace hope and strength to you. Commune with our God and let His Spirit restore you.
