Strength for the Weary: Encouragement from Isaiah 40

God’s Unfailing Love: Our Great Redeemer and Creator

As Christians, we believe that God is our great Redeemer, the Creator of everything, who knows all about us and loves us, but at the same time we seem to doubt that He will really take care of us. Like the Israelites we can look back at our lives, even in times of rebellion against God, and see His hand working in our lives.

Trusting in God’s Care Through Life’s Challenges

And yet, when a new problem arises we often act as though we think it is not worthy of His attention, or worse that He is really unable to act on our behalf. In Isaiah 40: 27-31, we learn that God knows our needs, sustains us in the middle of trials and weariness, and reaches out to us in our weakness. This passage reminds us to trust in Him, knowing He renews those who turn to Him. He is strength for the weary.

Biblical Assurance: Learning from Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah tells us that God "neither faints nor is weary". The Creator of all that is doesn't get tired watching over His children. Such a thought is ridiculous. God is not limited like a man! Each of us is known and loved whether we know it or not. God's understanding is unsearchable; He lacks nothing in His ability to understand us. God perfectly knows us.

Embracing Weakness: How Humility Invites Divine Strength

Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that it is the weakest among us that He desires to give strength to. Why the weak? Not just because they need it the most, but those who acknowledge their weakness before Him come to Him in humility. He honors that.

In 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, Paul says this, in part, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." It is in Paul's weakness that Christ's power rests on Him. If you think life is too hard, think on this. If you believe Jesus is asking too much of you, remember this!

Strength for the Weary: Encouragement from Isaiah 40

Isaiah 40:30 tells us that the ones among us that are the ablest and the strongest, even they will become weary. This contrasts against God who never does. The only way to regain strength is to rely on our God who is always strong. Life can be hard—mentally, physically, and spiritually— but what Isaiah wants to remind us is that it doesn't have to be, if we reach out to our Lord. The encouragement from Isaiah 40 is that God offers strength for the weary if we seek it.

The Power of Prayer and Community in Spiritual Renewal

"Those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength," Isaiah explains in the next verse. This thought is repeated in Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" But what is meant by "waiting on the Lord"?

When we wait on the Lord we remember His promises and faithfulness. We acknowledge His timing is best in all things. We understand that He knows what we don't know. And we know that He desires our good (Romans 8:28).

We can wait on the Lord with confidence and trust. We build these characteristics by spending time with God in prayer and His word. We can surround ourselves with uplifting brothers and sisters in Christ who can encourage us. An encouraging church community strengthens faith. We can remind ourselves of God's faithfulness to us in the past. Our hope isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s firmly grounded in the unshakeable truth of God’s promises.

In all these ways, our strength is renewed. Not just found for the first time, but 'renewed'. That first, fervent strength we had when we became a Christian, that revived person we became after struggling and coming out on the other side of a trial, that is the strength we can find again.

Running the Race of Faith: Encouragement from 1 Corinthians 9:24

Isaiah 40:31 beautifully describes the results of this renewal, this revival, if you will, of our soul. We shall mount up like eagles, reaching upward toward God and His heaven. When we run, we will not feel weary. We won't grow tired of being obedient. We will desire to do His will no matter the cost. 1 Corinthians 9:24 encourages us to run in such a way that we will win the race of faith.

Finally, Isaiah says when we walk we won't faint. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we don't walk by sight, but by our faith in Jesus. Trusting in Him and His gift of salvation gives us the ability to walk without fainting. In other words, to walk without giving up hope.

In Psalm 69:3, we see these principles in action. David cries out to God that He is weary with crying. He has waited for God for so long to answer His pleas. But David has learned that in his weakness and weariness to praise God. In verse 30, David says, "I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving." David says if we seek God, our hearts will live. I surely want my heart to be alive, don't you? David knows that he must wait on the Lord and that God is above all faithful and true.

Overcoming Weariness: Biblical Insights on Doing Good

Weariness can even come from doing good. Are you tired of trying to do good things for others and getting no thanks? Do you grow tired from the many things you are asked to do in the name of doing good? Are you exhausted from people not understanding your motives? Are you weary from the effort of trying to get closer to God?

Galatians 6:9 warns us not to grow weary of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 also admonishes us to not grow tired of doing good. Hebrews 12:3 reminds us to remember what Christ endured for us, so that we won't get "weary and discouraged." Isaiah 41:10 tells us why we shouldn't get tired. In this verse he reminds us that it is God who is with us—strengthening, helping, and upholding us.

When we are tired of waiting for an answer, when we begin to doubt that God is who He says He is and that He cares for us, we must humble ourselves before Him, acknowledge our weaknesses, seek His face and "magnify Him with thanksgiving" as David knew to.

When weariness overwhelms us during times when we are trying our hardest to do good, God’s promise always gives hope. As Jeremiah reminds us, He is committed to replenishing every weary and languishing soul.

God’s Promise to Replenish the Weary Soul: A Message from Jeremiah 31:25

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." (RSV)

You are that weary soul that He wants to satisfy. You are the languishing soul He longs to replenish. Thanks be to God!

People also ask:

What is a languishing soul?

A languishing soul is one that is not energized. It is a soul that may feel indifferent and disinterested, sort of as if it is just getting by or 'stuck in a rut,' as we might say. This causes it to feel weak. It's almost as if the soul is just fading away.