Isaiah 40: Words of Comfort from God

Scripture

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.

Observation

Several things:

1. It’s a bit odd jumping into this chapter without having read the rest of Isaiah, which predicts the punishment of Israel by being taken into exile in Babylon – without that, the words of comfort don’t quite have the same effect. But I am in the middle of a reading plan that is picking key bits from the Old Testament at the moment, and it is a key chapter – just look at all the sections that are really familiar from other sources, or worship songs, or just from this chapter!
2. This chapter covers some of the same ground that the one I blogged about on Wednesday did (Job 38), especially in verses 12-14 – just a reminder that God is in charge, and no-one else. You get that theme coming through quite a lot in the prophetic books.
3. The verse picked out above is another one of those famous ones I was talking about, and is a really good one to remember!

Application

This is not going to be profound, but I just felt it’s really worth reminding ourselves of God’s eternal strength and support when we might feel weary and run-down. I personally am 1 week away from half term, and feel like I’ve marked every exercise book in the world this week – and I still have more I have to do today. I could really do with a break! But this chapter reminds me that when I go to God, he provides all the strength I need, and renews my body. And I believe that – for one thing, I have totally seen answers to prayer in one of my classes this week – I prayed for peace and extra grace and patience on my part for the kids, and the Lord provided, so I absolutely believe he will give me the renewal of strength this passage promises. I pray he does for you, too.

Prayer

Father, as we find ourselves in the third month of winter and spring still a little way away, please give all who call on your name the strength and power to not only continue when their personal strength fails, but to make the most of every God-given opportunity to find your Holy Spirit at work in their lives. Amen.

 

1 Samuel 25-31

Scripture:

1 Samuel 25-31

 

Selected verses:

30:6 – “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.”

 

Observation:

There are two interweaving stories in these chapters. Here’s a summary: David, accompanied by a large band of followers, is on the run from Saul, and he takes refuge in a Philistine city. When King Saul learns that’s where he is, he leaves him alone, and David and his band are given the city of Ziklag to live in. Meanwhile, the Philistine army amasses against Israel, and Saul gets scared. He gets so scared that he consults a medium to enquire of Samuel’s ghost what to do. Stupid move, as he doesn’t get the answer he wants; the LORD is against him. David and his followers march out to fight with the Philistines against the Israelites, but the Philistine commanders send him back to Ziklag, which has been sacked by marauding Amalekites, and all the families of David’s men have been carried off. After his men nearly turn on him, they go after the Amalekites and recover everything; David acts honourably throughout. Finally, the focus shifts back to Saul, who kills himself in the midst of battle with the Philistines.

 

The verse I have selected above details two responses to an awful situation – David’s men have had their home destroyed, and everything they cared about has gone. They respond in a totally understandable way. But David responds in the best way.

 

Application:

Some simple thoughts. When it seems as though our whole lives have been pulled out from under our feet, how do we respond? It makes total sense to give up and become bitter about what has gone wrong, and in many ways this is the natural response. But David, man of the Spirit, chooses a different path – he finds strength in God, even in the midst of his trouble. He has not denied the reality of the situation – two verses earlier he weeps with his men over the fate of their city. But he knows where strength can be found, and makes a choice to take everything he is feeling to the LORD.

 

Prayer:

Lord, I bring you my trouble, stress and feelings of unfairness. I know that you love me, and I know that you are good. I trust you to bring resolution to the things that trouble my spirit. Amen.