THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH
Text: Isaiah 40
10 January 2010
(I) ISRAEL’S WRONG RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ADDRESSED
1. Unwarranted Idolatrous practices (Isaiah 40:18-20)
2. Poor spiritual knowledge (Isaiah 40:21, 28)
“Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?” Isaiah 40:21
3. Poor spiritual attitude
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel:
My way is hidden from the LORD,
And my just claim is passed over by my God” Isaiah 40:27
A disastrous end when all of the above are pursued!
(II) RETURNING TO GOD
1. To the comfort that God gives (Isaiah 40:1)
2. To the glory that God reveals (Isaiah 40:5)
3. To the discovery of God afresh (Isaiah 40:9-30)
a) Shepherd ( Isaiah 40:11 )
b) Omnipotence of God ( Isaiah 40:12, 15-17, 21-24 )
c) Omniscience of God ( Isaiah 40:13-14 )
d) Creator ( Isaiah 40:26, 28d )
e) Everlasting God ( Isaiah 40:28c )
f) Giver of power and strength ( Isaiah 40:29 )
(III) THE PRACTICE OF WAITING ON GOD
“But those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
1. Waiting on the Lord
a) In deep understanding
b) In renewed faith
c) In greater trust
2. Discovering along the way
a) Strength renewed
b) Soaring like an eagle
c) Source of energy
i) Overcoming weariness
ii) Overcoming weakness