God’s Guiding Word: Hope
Introduction
Isaiah 40:18–31: Today’s reading is in the form of a hymn celebrating God as creator of the all the world and to whom nothing can be compared.
Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 40:31a
Those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed.
Reading
18 To whom can God be compared?
How can you describe what he is like?
19 He is not like an idol that workers make,
that metalworkers cover with gold
and set in a base of silver.
20 Anyone who cannot afford silver or gold
chooses wood that will not rot.
He finds a skillful worker
to make an image that won’t fall down.
21 Do you not know?
Were you not told long ago?
Have you not heard how the world began?
22 It was made by the one who sits on his throne
above the earth and beyond the sky;
the people below look as tiny as ants.
He stretched out the sky like a curtain,
like a tent in which to live.
23 He brings down powerful rulers
and reduces them to nothing.
24 They are like young plants,
just set out and barely rooted.
When the LORD sends a wind,
they dry up and blow away like straw.
25 To whom can the holy God be compared?
Is there anyone else like him?
26 Look up at the sky!
Who created the stars you see?
The one who leads them out like an army,
he knows how many there are
and calls each one by name!
His power is so great—
not one of them is ever missing!
27 Israel, why then do you complain
that the LORD doesn’t know your troubles
or care if you suffer injustice?
28 Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God;
he created all the world.
He never grows tired or weary.
No one understands his thoughts.
29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
30 Even those who are young grow weak;
young people can fall exhausted.
31 But those who trust in the LORD for help
will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles;
they will run and not get weary;
they will walk and not grow weak.
Reflect
In what ways does today’s reading answer the question posed in verse 18? How would you describe God? What does today’s reading teach you about God? Reread verses 28–31. What words of hope, comfort, and encouragement do these verses proclaim?
Pray
Lord, you are the everlasting God and your power is great. You never grow tired or weary and whenever I am weak or tired, I can turn to you for help, trusting that you will renew my strength. I thank and praise you for your everlasting care. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Isaiah 42:1–17: The LORD’s servant is described.