Isaiah 40:28-29
“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.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
When I shared this past Sunday about Jesus Christ as Immanuel from Matthew 1, I took liberty to highlight that Matthew the author specifically included Hebrew Scriptures to show how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the coming Messiah. Memorizing Scripture was of the utmost importance for any good Jewish male and Jesus himself demonstrated his knowledge of the Scriptures. I invited listeners to join me in memorizing Isaiah 40:28-29. What they didn’t know was that I already knew this Scripture because of a song I learned over 30 years ago.
When I entered UCLA as a freshmen in 1988, one of the things I committed to do was to learn guitar. I was part of a college and young adult ministry at Bel Air Presbyterian Church and I wanted to learn guitar so I could lead my new friends at church during the worship music time. A fellow UCLA student was kind enough to spend time teaching me basic chords and how to strum. The first song he taught me was straight from Scripture—Isaiah 40:28-29—and the melody has never left me.
It is ever more important to remember God’s presence as we journey through a season of life where the presence of fear, uncertainty and anxiety could be more felt than the presence of Immanuel, God with us. How we need to memorize, meditate, pray and sing the truth of Isaiah 40:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Verse 29)
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Where are you experiencing weakness this season? Has the Lord seemed near or far as you have brought him your concerns?
Would you join me in memorizing Isaiah 40:28-29 this Advent season? It’s as easy as learning a new song. (Click here to listen)
PRAYER:
It would be easy, Lord, to forget that you are in charge of all things. When I am weak, help me remember that you bring strength. I choose to call out to you instead of trusting my own inclinations to call out to other substitutes. This Advent remind me of your presence, Immanuel, especially in times when I need your strength. Help me to turn to you before anyone or anything else. May I sing songs reminding me or your presence, your goodness, your strength and your faithfulness. Amen.