Slide 1 Introduction
For weeks already, some radio stations made the switch to 24-7 Christmas music. Slow but sure, we see the first signs of Christmas decorations going up along Pontaluna Road. Add to that the first lake effect snowstorm of the season just wrapped up. And with Thanksgiving just days away, are you geared up and ready for the feasting or maybe taking in some football or the gigantic character balloons of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? And quickly following is the busy December calendar with dates and weekends reserved for Christmas gatherings and other festivities.
Or as I’ve heard from some of you and at times have felt myself, are you just tired before it starts? Not to the degree of Scrooge but still drained of Christmas Spirit all the same?
Slide 2 Trouble in the World
In his booklet, “The Four Emotions of Christmas”, Bob Lepine, host of the radio show, “Truth for Life” writes:
“Each year, we enter into Thanksgiving week and hope the Christmas season soon to follow works some kind of magic on us. We decorate the tree or drive the neighborhoods to look at their brilliant lights. We host guests or go to parties. We do so harboring hope that whatever hardships or heartaches we’ve been through this year, the lights and carols, the decorations and traditions will somehow snap us out of our funk. Then our hearts are realigned to bring peace on earth, goodwill to all and joy to the world. Or at least we hope so.”
But here’s the thing. Every year, despite with the recipes of old, the Christmas Card Lists, the Christmas Carols, and other family traditions, the Christmas emotions show themselves for what they are. That’s because compared to any other time, Christmas plays an oversized role in our culture and our lives.
Christian joys are deeper than other joys. So are Christmas sorrows. Right when the Advent Season begins next Sunday promising hope, peace, joy and love, many of us instead carry disappointment, stress, sadness and regret. Beyond personal loss there are other reasons - Some have talked about it being a leaner Christmas with inflation. Others have spoken to cutting back because retirement funds took a hit. Add to that just the general tension in our country… Whatever the reason - we look around at others who seem to be basking in holiday glows – and we are left wondering why the magic of the season isn’t working this year? Instead, we are left with an intangible void.
Slide 3 Trouble in the Text
In our Isaiah 40 text, Israel, God’s covenant people feel the same way about their future. Faith, hope, love and joy are absent as exile awaits them.
Today’s text was written during the time of Judah’s King Hezekiah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen after failing to heed the warnings of God’s prophets Amos and Hosea. Terribly fearful for his kingdom’s future, King Hezekiah institutes all sorts of reforms beginning with a renewed focus on temple repairs and traditions of the past.
The king, poured enormous amounts of energy and resources into doing things right like we pour our energies into all the season’s activities, feasting, present buying and more. But so long as the people’s hearts weren’t into it, it was all a façade. A world of pretend. The very opposite of the Hallmark movies we might turn to to lift our emotions is captured in Lamentations-
Jerusalem once so full, lies deserted.
She sobs through the night; tears stream down her cheeks
The crowds no longer assemble to celebrate the joyous festivals
All the glow and majesty have been stripped away
That’s hitting bottom - the pit of despair
Slide 4
It is then, Isaiah references a common complaint murmured among Judah’s people - Verse 27 – Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by God? Yet Israel should have known from experience that nothing is hidden from God who sees and knows everything – Yet at the same time their complaint is relatable if we are honest with ourselves.
While the circumstances between our lives and theirs are different, we can at the same time relate – especially in those times when
Hope has been replaced by disappointment.
Faith is challenged by stress and an unsure future
Sadness fills the void left when joy vanished.
Where there once was amazing love is now filled with regret
Slide 5 Good News in the Text:
But it is from this complaint according to commentator Walter Bruggemann, that God through his prophet Isaiah turns this complaint as the launch pad for the good news that follows. Line after line, Isaiah contrasts the very essence of God by comparing God’s ongoing divine qualities and activity versus human limitations.
Slide 6
Verse 28 cites the unique qualities of God that alone should be boosting their spirits. As Isaiah exclaims as if in disbelief - – Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Human lives are just temporary – but The Lord is the everlasting God.
Human abilities are limited – but He is the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Humans get tired and weary – but the Lord does not grow faint or weary.
The Lord’s purposes are beyond our own understanding - Humans are unable to comprehend these mysteries.
The takeaway? Ultimately no one is God’s equal. We would like to think we are a bit closer -No matter the advancements over 2600+ years that these were written – considering how the world and technology has changed – when it comes to these issues of human limitations – nothing has changed except where the fuller revelation of God’s Word speaks. God is still everlasting. He is the creator. He doesn’t weary or get tired. His purposes no one can fully understand. But Isaiah goes on to make it clear - that God with all superior qualities and abilities desires to make himself personally known to us.
Slide 7
In Verse 29, Isaiah as God’s messenger cites specific God active language by which God looks after our needs -
When feeling overwhelmed and pessimistic He gives power to the faint
When feeling tired and ready to give up – He strengthens the powerless
These verbs indicate ongoing action. God doesn’t step in and pour down unlimited power and strength all in one dose – It’s more like a daily infusion to sustain us through day by day as to what is needed. Furthering our reliance, since God has done so faithfully in the past, we trust he will do so for the future.
But notice how the tenor of the language changes in verses 30 and 31
Slide 8
– At first it seems the prophet is merely repeating what he said in verse 29 using different imagery. But in actuality, the messenger of God qualifies God’s work into a conditional statement preced by a truism.
Verse 30 is the truism obvious to everyone - Even youths will faint and be weary, and the youth will fall exhausted. We comprehend this through observation and experience as if a universal truth.
Then the second phrase in verse 31 is the condition – but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. In other words – God’s prophet is revealing to the people –– You are at a fork in the road – Look you have a choice to make! There’s only two options. Will you choose weakness and remain weak on your own limitations? Or will you choose God who can and will renew your strength?
Slide 9
Listen to the benefits of those who choose correctly For those who choose the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. This is a remarkable claim in the face of despair and hopelessness. It’s not the salvation question of accepting God’s call on your life. It’s the expected result that follows daily reliance on God’s providence.
Good News in the World
Again, this isn’t about salvation as many have used the text. Finding ourselves at the fork in the road is not a one time thing. There are daily forks in the road like this and seasonal ones as well – It may very well be the Thanksgiving and Christmas season soon to arrive.
The remarkable thing is that according to this text – the ability for us to gear up if we lean on God is not dependent on us. Gearing up and finding strength and power comes from outside ourselves. We don’t have the unlimited strength or power – Only God does and he desires to renew your strength.
In a text that runs a close parallel to Isaiah 40 Jesus Christ, the Son of God, quoted in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 11:28 said it this way -- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We have often equated Jesus words to the response of God’s election and narrowed Christ’s words down to the response piece we make. But what if like our Isaiah 40 text, Christ’s words are less about the salvation fork in the road decision and more about the reliance and providence fork in the road decision we regularly face moment by moment and season by season.
It’s an act of Spirit given faith and courage to cooperate with the Spirit and regularly make the choice for God reliance over self reliance.
And unique to us today – we have another sign of the unwavering strength, wisdom and eternity of God before us at the table. The Sacrament prepared, spiritual food that more than mere symbol serves to reinforce and strengthen our daily walk. Every time we accept Christ’s call to partake, Christ gears us up for life at the fork in the road. If you are feeling deflated – If you are having trouble feeling energized for the weeks that lay ahead until Christmas – the song we learned earlier’s lyrics fit so well
With an attitude of gratitude
For blessings, big and small,
I'll show gratefulness & thankfulness
As I praise the Lord of all!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
I am thankful!
