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21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and 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. 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”? 28 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. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:21-31 NIV Bible)
Blessings to you, dear Friend. May the joy of the Lord be your strength in all things, especially as we spend time with Him in His word today. May today be a day filled with love - the love you give to others with no exception!
Last night Nellie and I were watching a sitcom and in one scene the family was helping ouf at their church and I remarked to Nellie, "I can almost smell that room!" She laughed and agreed. The church looks like so many other churches; a stack of old hymnals, thousands of brochures from countless programs and miinistries of the church, the wooden floor, the stained glass windows - yes, you've probably been in that church and you recognize the smell too. I have to confess there's a holiness to that smell for Who it represents and the power of transformation that is present for those who enter that space. And if those walls could talk the stories it could tell about Jesus and His glory; of Jesus and His love.
The prophet lived in a sacred land where each mountain, each stream, every river, each shrub and bush, would tell of God and God's love. Where Isaiah lived, prayer was a local call, and from that perspective he writes this passage. It opens with a challenge to those who doubt; "Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?" I thank God my parents insisted on my going to Sunday school every Sunday until that one Sunday that it clicked and I was glad to be there, and that I loved it so much I told my parents I wanted to attend Sunday school every day and maybe public school one day a week! And to this day, Sunday school continues to be the best deal out there for our little ones, and for you!
The prophet addresses the false comfort some seek in earthly powers. He compares princes and rulers to moths drawn to a flame; they rise and fall, and leave behind nothing but ashes. The prophet knew that our true strength lies not in fleeting earthly things but in the unwavering presence of the Almighty.
Then we come to what has to be in the Top Five Favorite Bible verses, 28-31. One can see why as we read or hear those verses, especially when our faith seems far away. These verses offer profound promises, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint" (vv. 29-31). This is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life, but a promise of divine renewal, of finding strength where we thought there was none. Such is our God. God is our rock, our refuge, our strength, and our hope.
PRAYER: Loving God, open our eyes to the majesty of your presence, even amidst the storms of life. Grant us the wisdom to acknowledge our limitations and find strength in your unwavering love. May our lives be testaments to your power, radiating hope and resilience as we soar on wings of faith and walk hand-in-hand with you, even through the darkest valleys. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Face your challenges with courage, knowing that God's presence is your anchor, His love your compass, and His strength your wings. Remember, even in the face of doubt, hope can take flight, and with each step of faith, you walk closer to the source of unending strength and unwavering love.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
