Isaiah 40:25-31

 ““To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?” says the Holy One. Look up at the sky! Who created all these heavenly lights? He is the one who leads out their ranks; he calls them all by name. Because of his absolute power and awesome strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, “The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, My God is not concerned with my vindication”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom. He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.”

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭25‬-‭31‬‬

2 thoughts: (1) Yes, this is in the opening of the second “half” of Isaiah. Chapter 40 opens with the promise of restoration of Israel. It has YHWH coming to visit his people, and contains the “prophecy” of John the Baptist (well, at least the verses that John the Baptist quotes during his ministry). God is going to come visit His people in exile. He will not abandon them. I think we can get to general principles for application, but the historical context is still very important. 

(2) Reading the whole chapter makes the final verses even more shocking. This is not really about what we can do (rise up, not faint, be strong). Jacob/Israel is doubting the strength of God. Has He abandoned us? Has He forgotten us? Does He really care? Can He even conquer these foreign powers and bring us home? Won’t he get too tired?

Isaiah (or the author) says, Are you crazy? This is YHWH. He doesn’t faint. He doesn’t get tired. He gives strength. He is the source of all strength. He reigns eternal. And if you rely on Him, you also get strength and endurance (you know, for when you come home). 

This is all about the one true source of strength and how it never falls short. And yes, I’ll say it still applies. Especially since the NT applies this passage to the coming of the Lord in Jesus.