ISAIAH 40:27-31 – DON’T YOU KNOW? HAVEN’T YOU HEARD?
The people in this room and their families have many problems, some I am aware of, most I am not.
There are problems with cancer and possible cancer.
There are problems with heart disease.
There are problems associated with old age.
There are problems with sick and aging parents or spouses.
There are problems with finances.
There are misunderstandings between friends.
Some have failed to forgive others for things done years ago.
There are people who have no self-esteem or very low self-esteem.
There are many who suffer from guilt over things done in the past.
There are some who have cheated, who have lied, who have been unfaithful in some way.
It would not surprise me if somebody’s marriage was in trouble or if one of your loved ones has a marriage in trouble.
It would not surprise me if somebody here has a drug or alcohol problem, or a family member has a drug or alcohol problem.
And you teenagers and college students face temptations, worries, and fears that us adults know nothing of.
And personally we often struggle over our inability to do what we should do and not do what we shouldn’t do.
We can be overwhelmed by the needs we know of. Add even more hidden needs, and we can begin to think that things are impossible!
Many times we do not have these problems ourselves, but we know loved ones and friends that do. Many a parent is distraught over the actions of their children. Many a child is distraught over the actions of their parents!
It is very easy to get worried, concerned and frustrated over our own problems and the problems of others especially when they are people we love.
Sometimes we get totally distracted and overwhelmed with problems. It is possible to become sick with worry, fret and care!
In our text, the nation Israel was having trouble, and thought that God had forsaken them. Vs. 27
In the midst of all that you are facing, you may feel like God has forsaken or forgotten you. You feel alone. You wonder when you are ever going to get some relief from the increasing difficulties in your life.
In verse 28 Isaiah begins to encourage Israel and us with the words “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,”
We would say, “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?”
In the midst of all your worries and problems, DON’T YOU KNOW? HAVEN’T YOU HEARD? GOD IS ALIVE! – Vs. 28
1. God is eternal. Psalm 90:2
2. God is the Creator. Genesis 1:1
3. God does not grow faint or weary. Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27
4. God’s understanding is infinite.
I am glad that I have a God who understands more than I do!
That’s why Jesus could say as God,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
DON’T YOU KNOW? HAVEN’T YOU HEARD? GOD ASSISTS – Vs. 29
God gives power to the faint. Those who are weak and weary within themselves, God helps.
To begin with, God does not give the mighty eternal life.
God gives the weak eternal life. Romans 3:10, Ephesians 2:8-9
After we are saved, God is still available to help the weak.
That’s you and I. We still need help. We still need God’s strength. Philippians 4:13
We have at least two problems when we face the difficulties of life. First, we do not realize how much power is available to us. Ephesians 1:15-23
Second, we do not ask God to pour out His power on us and our friends. Ephesians 3:14-16
DON’T YOU KNOW? HAVEN’T YOU HEARD? GOD ASSURES – Vss. 30-31
Vs. 30 – There will be times so bad that the youths will be weak even the strong young men fall.
Vs. 31 – But here is God’s assurance to us.
Those that wait upon the Lord will:
SOAR like the eagle – “…mount up with wings as eagles.”
Have SPURTS of strength – “…run and not be weary.”
Have STAMINA in for the long haul – “…walk and not faint.”
So how do we wait on the Lord?
1. With Patience Proverbs 3:5-6
2. In Precept (God’s word) Romans 15:4, Psalm 1:1-3
3. In Prayer – Matthew 7:7-8, Philippians 4:6-7