A Weary World Rejoices!
A Weary World Rejoices - Part 2
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Isaiah 40:27-31, Deuteronomy 8:7-18
Why do you say, Jacob,
and declare, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
my God ignores my predicament”?Isaiah 40:27
In our weariness, it is easy to despair. I admit I have personally experienced a level of weariness this year beyond what I have ever felt before. It’s not just about being busy or tired. It’s a weariness that gets deep into our souls the way an icy wind gets deep into our bones.
When we look at all that seems to be falling apart around us, we may cry out with David,
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Psalm 13:1-2
Or maybe we feel like the Israelites in exile, sitting on the banks of the river in Babylon weeping as we remember the good old days. “How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:4).
While there is no shortage of such lament and mourning in the words of the prophets, they will not let us stay there.
“Don’t you know,” Isaiah writes, “Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God… He does not grow tired or weary… Even youths grow tired and weary… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary
Isaiah 40:28, 30-31
Weariness turns to rejoicing when, as the hymn writer says, “the soul felt it’s worth.” Isaiah reminds us that our weariness is normal. Even the young grow tired and faint. We are not alone. But God doesn’t leave us in our weariness. God lifts us out of our despair and provides for our needs. In Christ, we come to know just how valuable we are to God and we can look back as the people of Israel do in Deuteronomy 8 and give thanks for all the ways God has led us through the wilderness.
As you consider the ways you have experienced God’s love over the past year, let your soul feel it’s worth and rejoice, even in the midst of this weary world.
Listen to this week’s sermon here:
Video of the complete worship service available at http://asburyumc-huntersville.com/live