Well, last Sunday evening, Kirstie and I left Ennis. We'd been up there for the weekend and we were making our way home.
As you heard in the news, as we did, there'd been warnings of snow, rain and ice.
But I assured Kirstie with great confidence, we're going to be all right.
Don't you think we should wait until the morning?
No, we'll be fine. Just a bit of snow.
With promises made, we took off.
Not long into the journey, snow got heavier and deeper.
Two hours later, there we were stuck five kilometres outside of Charleville in a queue of traffic getting cold.
My promises of getting us safe home were beginning to look in doubt.
And as it got darker and we weren't moving, we prepared for a long night.
You see, sometimes what is promised is different from our reality.
Sometimes there's this massive gap between what God says and what we actually experience.
Well, that was the situation for God's people in Isaiah 40.
Isaiah the prophet was forewarning God's people that they would be in troubled times.
Just go back to chapter 39, verse 5.
The prophet forewarns the people that troubled times lie ahead.
Isaiah speaks to the king, verse 5.
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah,
Hear the word of the Lord Almighty.
The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon.
Nothing will be left, says the Lord.
Well, it wouldn't be just his possessions, but if we were to read on, we would discover that Babylon, the up-and-coming superpower,
would take all God's people off into exile.
But with this word of warning came a wonderful word of promise.
Chapter 40, verse 1.
It's almost a don't fear, don't worry.
Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.
Troubled times may come, but I'm going to rescue you and deliver you.
Chapter 40, verse 10.
See, the sovereign Lord comes with power.
And he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him.
And his recompense accomplishes him.
There will be blessing.
Don't worry.
Don't fear.
Our sovereign God is going to come and he will bring you back home.
Well, promises may have been made.
But reality told a different story.
What God says and what we experience can seem to be far apart.
You see, when these difficult days came, when the exile became a reality, the people lost all hope.
Now, the situation of God's people then is really a picture of God's people like us today.
Because we're living in some sense in spiritual exile.
We're far away from our true home.
Our eternal home with God in his eternal kingdom.
And we long for that home.
And when troubles come, we begin to doubt.
Am I going to make it?
Can we trust God to do what he says?
Will he comfort, care for his people?
Is he going to bring them home?
Well, let's now turn to the end of Isaiah 40, which we read.
And we're going to look at this.
Three simple words can summarize what we're going to look at.
Forgotten, assured, and strengthened.
So here's the first one.
Forgotten.
Forgotten by God.
Verse 27.
Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord?
My cause is disregarded by my God?
Has that been your experience over the last year?
That sometimes it seems that God just doesn't care.
That my life is hidden from God.
Or that God has run out of all his comfort.
And my life is disregarded by my God.
What God says, and what we seem to experience, are worlds apart.
If God is so loving, then why do I have to deal with so many trials in my life?
And if God were so sovereign and so powerful, then why doesn't he intervene now?
And end all the heartache and all the trouble.
We feel abandoned.
We begin to doubt and wonder.
We stop seeking God.
We stop praying and reading our Bibles.
And, well, what's the point?
My way is hidden.
My cause is disregarded.
God no longer sees me.
He no longer hears me.
Like the writer of Psalm 42, we cry out,
I say to God, my rock,
Why have you forgotten me?
You see, sometimes the dark realities of life seem to cover over the bright promises of God.
Will God ever be my helper again?
Can I trust God to keep me in 2025?
Will he bring me home?
Well, God answers us because he does see and he does hear.
So second, assured by God.
Look at verse 28.
God responds to the questioning and the complaints
and says to us,
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Do you not remember all that I have said to you?
Just listen to my words again.
It's not that God has forgotten us.
It's we who have forgotten what God has said.
So what does God say to us in our doubts?
Well, we're presented with four wonderful truths,
four wonderful assurances
that will enable us to trust God
in what lies ahead.
First,
God is everlasting.
Verse 28.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God.
No one made God.
You and I were all made.
We're all created.
But God?
Well, God simply exists.
The very first verse in the Bible tells us,
in the beginning,
God.
There was never a time when God was not.
God is and God always will be.
He is the everlasting,
the eternal God.
Now that means
His word
is everlasting.
Just look back to verse 8.
Same chapter,
verse 8.
The grass withers.
The flowers fall.
Everything will rot and decay
and become no more.
But the word of our God
endures forever.
God is everlasting.
everlasting.
And that means
His word
is everlasting.
His promises
are eternal.
He will not
fail
any one of you.
He will do
exactly
what He says.
He will comfort you.
He will care for you.
And He will strengthen you.
So God is
everlasting.
Next we're told
that God is
Creator.
Follow on in verse 28.
He is the Creator
of the ends
of the earth.
He made this
vast universe
in which we live.
Go outside.
This is an exercise
for us to do
on a clear night.
A rare night
when it's clear.
And look up
at the skies.
The nearest planet
or star
to us
is
the moon.
It reflects
the sun's light
to earth.
It takes
about 1.3 seconds
for the light
to reach earth.
Now if you were
to look
further beyond
you might remember
Orion's belt.
You know those
three stars
in a row.
Just below that
is another star
called Nebula.
It takes
1600 years
years
for the light
of that star
to reach
earth.
Extraordinary.
Beyond that
there is a cluster
of stars.
It's almost
kind of
just like a
just a mess.
You can't really
work out
what they all are.
Well it's a galaxy
called Andromeda.
Somebody counted.
I'm not sure how.
300 billion stars.
You know how long
it takes for the light
to reach from there
to here?
2.5 million
years.
The world
is big.
Look at
verse 25.
To whom
will you compare
me?
Or who is
my equal
says the
Holy One?
Lift up your
eyes.
Look to the
heavens.
Who created
all these?
He who
brings out
the starry host
one by
one
and calls
forth each
of them by
name because
of his
great power
and mighty
strength
not one
of them
is missing.
You see
this God
who designed
and ordered
the universe
in all
its fastness
made you.
And if
he knows
the stars
by name
how much
more does
he know
you?
And if
his mighty
power and
strength
holds this
universe in
existence
with all
those stars
and planets
spinning
round
how much
more is
his mighty
power
got a
grip of
you?
God is
everlasting.
God is
creator.
And God
is self
sufficient.
Look at
verse 28.
He will
not grow
tired or
weary.
God
doesn't need
me time.
or down
time.
He doesn't
switch off
or go
out or
disappear.
He doesn't
need help
or assistance.
He never
yawns
or tires
or rests
or sleeps.
He is
utterly
and completely
self
sufficient.
He depends
on no one
and needs
nothing.
But us
oh how
we need
God.
How
dependent
are we
on him.
He is
always there.
Always
attentive.
Always
listening.
Always
watching.
Always
knowing.
Never
ever
wearying
in his
attention
towards
you.
Your
words do
not get
lost
in the
midst of
all the
cries
of the
world's
population.
He never
tires
of hearing
what you
have to
say.
God
the
all
sufficient
one
loves
you
deeply.
He's
everlasting.
He's
creator.
He is
all
sufficient.
And look
at the
end of
verse
28.
His
understanding
no one
can fathom.
God
is
wise.
There's
so much
we just
do not
understand.
Why
does the
war
rage on
in Ukraine
and Palestine?
why are
these
fires
raging
in
California?
Why
are
thousands
upon
thousands
of
people
having
to leave
their
homes
in
South
Sudan
and
Ethiopia?
Why
do we
have to
walk
through
times
of
loss
and
grief?
Why
do we
seem to
have to
face
one
struggle
after
another?
We
don't
understand
because
we are
not
God.
Look
back at
verse
14.
Verse
14.
Whom
did the
Lord
consult
to
enlighten
him?
Who
taught
God
the
right
way?
Who
of the
world's
people
taught
him
knowledge
or
showed
him
the
path
of
understanding?
No.
God
is
all
knowing
and
all
wise.
He
orders
and
determines
everything
and
everyone
according
to
his
plan
and
purpose.
This
wise
God
is
over
your
life.
There's
no chance,
circumstance,
no random
event.
In
his
wisdom,
he works
all things
for our
good.
No,
I
struggle,
I
cannot
fathom
his
ways.
I
do
not
understand
what
God
is
up
to.
But
I
can
trust
him.
You
see,
God's
word
gives
us
assurance.
When
troubles
come,
when the
darkness
of reality
seems to
cover the
brightness
of God's
promises,
listen,
again to
what his
word
says.
I am
the
everlasting
creator.
I am
the
all
sufficient
wise
God.
I
care for
you.
I
will
keep
you.
I
will
not
let
you
go.
I
will
bring
you
home.
In
fact,
he
will
give you
the
strength
that
you
need
day
by
day.
So
forgotten?
Not at
all.
We are
assured
by God
and
third,
we are
strengthened
by God.
Verse
29.
He
gives
strength
to the
weary
and
increases
the
power
of the
weak.
Weary
is
when
we're
overwhelmed
by
life.
And
weak
is
when
we
are
unable
to
do
anything
about
it.
The
perfect
storm,
weary
and
weak.
Maybe
you're
weary
of
work.
The
pressure
from those
around
you
never
lets
up.
And
in
your
weakness,
you
can
give
no
more.
Perhaps
you're
weary
of a
relationship.
It
just
seems
to
get
worse.
Nothing's
changing.
And
in
your
weakness,
you're
at a
loss.
Maybe
you're
here
today and
you're
just
weary
of
church.
All
the
serving
and
all
the
helping.
And
in
your
weakness,
you've
reached
your
limit.
You
see,
life
hits
us,
doesn't
it?
Leaving
us
mentally
exhausted,
emotionally
drained,
physically
wrecked,
and
spiritually
broken.
Will
we make
it through
another
year?
Well,
remember,
we are
not
forgotten.
God
gives
us
strength.
Verse
29.
He
gives
strength
to the
weary
and
increases
the
power
of the
weak.
What
good news
for people
like us
today.
God is
not hidden
from you.
He's not
disregarding
you.
Graciously
and generously,
our
almighty
God
will
give you
strength.
But what
kind of
strength
can we
expect?
What's the
strength he's
going to
give to
me?
Is he
going to
give me
strength so
that I'm
never going
to be
tired again?
Am I
going to
have this
power so
that I
won't get
sick again?
am I
going to
be able
to run
fast?
Because I'm
only able
to walk
slow right
now.
What
strength
are we
going to
be given?
Well,
look at
verse 30.
Even
youths
grow tired
and weary.
Young
men
stumble
and fall.
Even
those with
boundless
energy.
If you
like,
the fittest
athlete,
the strongest
soldier.
Little
kids who
seem to
have that
inbuilt
Duracell
battery.
They all
need to,
at some
stage,
stop and
rest and
sleep.
They all
crash and
burn and
stumble and
fall.
We all
need to
rest.
And if
they need
strength,
how much
more do
we who
are weak
and weary
need it?
Verse 31.
So those
who hope
in the
Lord will
renew their
strength.
Our
hope is
in the
everlasting
God,
the
self-sufficient
wise one,
the covenant
God who
comes to
his people,
who makes
his promises
and keeps
his promises,
the God
who came
to us
in person,
in the
person of
Jesus Christ,
the God
who says
to us,
come to
me,
all who
are
weary
and
burdened,
and I
will give
you rest.
For I
am gentle
and humble
in heart,
and I
will give
you rest
rest for
your
souls.
Hear the
invitation
to come
to Jesus
who knew
true weakness
and comes
and gives
us strength
today.
So what
is this
strength
that we
can expect?
Well,
four
simple
applications
that I
hope we
can take
away
and ask
the Lord
to give
us.
Here's the
first one,
strength to
accept your
weakness.
You see,
we're not
immune to
tiredness or
sickness.
Our bodies
and our
minds break
down and
slow down.
And we're
all only
fooling
ourselves to
think that
we can
keep
powering
on.
rather than
assume we
are strong,
the Bible
teaches us
to accept
our
weakness.
The
apostle Paul
was reminded
of this.
You can
follow on
the screen.
God said
to him,
my grace
is sufficient
for you
for my
power is
made perfect
in weakness.
And Paul
responded,
therefore I
will boast
all the
more gladly
about my
weaknesses so
that Christ's
power may
rest on me
for when
I am
weak,
then I
am strong.
You see,
there is a
strength that
comes from
God
when we
collapse
into him
in our
weakness.
Second,
there is a
strength that
is experienced
by prayer.
How are we
to get
this
strength?
Well,
we are
given that
strength as
we ask
God for
it.
Listen to
how we
should
pray.
This is
to the
church in
Colossae.
We
continually
ask God
to fill
you
because you
are empty.
being
strengthened
with all
power
according to
his glorious
might so
that you
may have
great
endurance
and
patience.
All that
we need
to keep
following
on.
Strengthened
with all
power.
You see,
through humble,
prayerful
dependence,
we receive
from him
his mighty
strength.
Third,
a strength
which
waits
on God.
Yes,
we're
promised
strength,
but it's
strength for
each circumstance,
a strength
that God
gives,
not all
at once,
but moment
by moment
as we
daily
wait
upon
the
Lord.
Again,
the Apostle
Paul knew
this
and puts
it like
this.
I have
learned
to be
content
whatever
the
circumstances.
I know
what it is
to be
in need
and I
know what
it is
to have
plenty.
I have
learned
the secret
of being
content
in any
and every
situation.
I can
do all
this
through
him who
gives me
strength.
Notice
it's not a
strength to
do whatever
we desire
or just
because you
write it on
a little
wristband
that you
win the
match.
Whether
we are
sick
or well,
fed up
or fueled
up,
falling
down,
or going
on.
His
strength
is given
to you
each
moment.
A strength
that will
be sufficient
for that
time to
do what
God calls
you to
do.
A
strength
that waits
on the
Lord.
strength.
And
fourth,
strength
that will
get us
home.
Here's
where the
strength
comes to
in all
its
reality.
A
strength
that will
bring us
home to
our
eternal
rest,
God's
kingdom
forever.
Listen
to this
prayer.
May he
strengthen
your
hearts
so that
you will
be blameless
and holy
in the
presence of
our God
and Father
when our
Lord Jesus
Christ comes
with all
his holy
ones.
The one
who calls
you is
faithful.
will.
And who's
going to
do it?
He
will do
it.
You are
not
forgotten.
Your
strength
will be
renewed.
He
will
bring
you
home.
As
Kirsty
and I
sat
waiting
in the
snow,
we
longed
for
home,
to be
safe,
to be
warm.
And then
I saw
in the
mirror
strange
lights,
orange
flashing
lights,
snow
plows
and
gritters
to the
rescue.
The
way was
cleared.
We
got
home.
I
told you
so.
Well,
our
powerful
God
has
come
to
us
and
he
has
cleared
the
way
by
his
son.
And
he
through
his
son
will
give
us
all
the
strength
we
need
moment
by
moment
through
every
obstacle
and
every
trouble
and
every
hurdle
that
we
will
face.
Verse
31
God
comforts
you
God
will
keep
you
and
God
will
give
you
the
strength.
Let's
pray.
Father,
we
confess
to
you
we
so
often
feel
weak
and
weary.
overwhelmed
and
powerless
to do
anything
about
it.
What
good
news
you
have
given
us
today
in
your
word.
Father,
please
renew
our
strength.
Renew
our
trust.
Give
to
each
person
here
all
that
they
need
to
face
everything
they
go
through.
Grace
and
mercy
and
all
that
is
required.
We
trust
you,
our
everlasting
creator
God,
our
self-sufficient
and
wise
God.
We
trust
you
and
we
thank
you.
Amen.
We're
going to
sing an
old hymn,
not too
old,
for those
of you
who
might
consider
themselves
old.
If
you
know
it,
sing
it
out
and
help
those
who
don't.
But
we
trust
in
you,
our
shield
and
our
defender.
We
don't
fight
alone
against
the
foe,
strong
in
your
strength,
safe
in
your
keeping
tender.
What a
great
song.
Let's
stand
together
and
encourage
one
another
in
these
words.
And
We trust in you, our shield and our defender
We do not fight alone against the foe
Strong in your strength, safe in your keeping tender
We trust in you and in your name we hold
Strong in your strength, safe in your keeping tender
We trust in you and in your name we hold
In your name, O captain of salvation
In your dear name, all other names above
Jesus, our righteousness, our sure foundation
Our Prince of Glory and our King of Love
Jesus, our righteousness, our sure foundation
Our Prince of Glory and our King of Love
We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling
And needing more each day your grace to know
Yet from our hearts, a song of triumph, healing
We trust in you and in your name we hold
We trust in you, our shield and our defender
Yours is the battle, yours shall be the praise
When passing through the gates of dazzling splendor
Victors we rest in you through endless days
Our Father God, we thank you that you are mighty
In strength and power
You will not give up on us, you will not fail us
You will bring us home
We praise you, we thank you
Amen
Please take your seats
I want to welcome you all to the Lord's Supper
Bread and juice, food and drink are provided to strengthen you today
What's this meal that renews our strength?
Well it's a meal we come to where we remember ultimately
Jesus and his death for us
Because when we eat the bread together
We are remembering Jesus
His body broken for us
Dying in our place
Where we can come and confess our sin
And receive forgiveness
And as we drink
So we come in faith
Remembering his great promises to us
Which are sealed by his blood
For us forever
Who is this food and drink for?
Well those who are weak and weary
For those who stumble and fall
Those who know they have failed
And have not followed the Lord as we should
So can I welcome you
To the table
Where today we remember Jesus
Bring your weakness
And your weariness
To him
Why?
Because those who hope in the Lord
Will renew their strength
If you are trusting in him
If your hope is in him today
Then eat of this bread
Remember him
Drink of this juice
And trust his promises afresh
He will keep you
He will watch over you
He will not fail you
A table
Of his commitment
And loyal love
To us today
When Jesus was with his disciples
He took bread
And he broke it
And said this is my body
Which is given for you
As we take the bread
We take a piece
We'll hold on to it
And then we will eat it
Together
But as we wait
Use it as a time
Of personal confession
To bring your sin
Before the Lord
And ask for his forgiveness
Afresh
Thanks Nick and Trish
Thanks
Thank you.
Father, we do not hide from you, but we simply confess our sin before you.
And thank you that where there is confession of sin, there is forgiveness of all of our sin.
So let us eat together now in thanksgiving.