This week we are focusing on Isaiah 40: 27-31. So far in Isaiah 40, we have seen that God comforts His people by letting them know that He will send a ruler/shepherd to rescue them (vv. 1-11). As the Creator and Sovereign, He is more than capable of doing so (vv. 12-26). In these final verses, we will see that the exiles would need to believe and trust in God’s promises and wait on Him for their rescue. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 40: 27-31.
- Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
- What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
- How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
- What should I do in response?
MORE TIME:
- What are the exiles feeling according to verse 27? Do you ever feel this way? What do you do when you feel this way? (You might want to read the verse in some other translations.)
- What does God say about Himself?
- Do you ever feel ‘faint’ or ‘weary’…overcome by your circumstances? If so, what does God ask us to do? (Note: A synonym for faith and trust is ‘wait’.)
- What does the Lord say He will do for those who wait for Him?
- “Eagles” are a powerful image of rescue. It most likely reminded the exiles of God’s rescue of His people out of Egypt. See Exodus 19:3-4 and Deuteronomy 32:10-12. Why is it important to be reminded of the past?
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 28, “God’s Greatness, Our Renewal (40: 27-31)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
- Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.
“… they who wait for 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 ~