Isaiah 40:29

September 18, 2023

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”

The prophet Isaiah was one of the most significant prophetic voices in the entire Bible. He is considered a major prophet because of the length of his book. He often prophesied of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave words of comfort and encouragement to God’s people in times when they needed it the most.

This particular passage of Scripture discloses one of those messages of reassurance that he gave to Jerusalem. This chapter begins with the Lord God stating, “Comfort, yes, comfort My people…” Isaiah 40:1. The Lord wanted Isaiah to let them know that the warfare had ended and that their immorality had been forgiven. Then he goes on to say how there is One that is coming that will make the crooked path straight, every mountain (trial) would be brought low, and the rough places would be made smooth. He was referring to Jesus Christ. This was one of the most powerful words of comfort that they could have received at that time.

We have to keep in mind that Jerusalem had been through persecution, trials, and tribulations and they were overwhelmed and depleted. They were beginning to lose hope and needed a boost of new strength. God reminds them through the prophet throughout this chapter that He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (everywhere).

He is the One that will feed His flock, gather the lambs, lead them, and counsel them. Then He describes how He is our Heavenly Father that created the waters, heaven, dust, mountains, and hills, Isaiah 40:11-12. In other words what the Lord is attempting to get them to see is that if He is the One that was the creator of the ends of the Earth and everything in it, He can definitely provide them with the strength that they needed to get them through any adversity.

Many times, when we go through the storms of life we often forget that we serve an everlasting God that has the ability to change any situation and make a way where there seems to be no way. That is why it is so important that we take the time out to read God’s Word because that is where you will find the strength that you need to overcome obstacles and keep pressing forward!

Now let’s take a closer look into the primary verse of scripture that I want to highlight out of the book of Isaiah 40:29. The word “power” used is the Hebrew word “kōaḥ” which means: human strength. The words “to the weak” is the Hebrew word “yāʿēp̄” which means: faint, weary, and fatigued.

So, when we break down what the prophet Isaiah was saying through the Holy Spirit we can determine the message that the Lord is conveying. God is telling us that that when we try to do things in our human power and our own strength we will grow faint, weary, and fatigued; He is the only One that can give us true power.

Another part of this verse that I want to highlight is when Isaiah uses the word “might” which is the Hebrew word “‘ôn” which means: physical strength of men. The words “He increases” is the Hebrew word “rāḇâ” which means: to multiply, increase greatly or exceedingly. But what does the Lord increase? He increases “strength” which is the Hebrew word “ʿāṣmâ” meaning: power, strength, might.

The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message of hope, comfort, and power during times of weakness, fatigue, and weariness. Although this word from our Almighty God was meant for Jerusalem in those times, it is also intended for us today. We are going to face circumstances in our life that is going to cause us to become exhausted and drained and it is in those moments that the Lord will provide us with the amount of strength that we need to make it through.

The Holy Bible is saturated will words of encouragement, reassurance, and guarantees but if you don’t read your Word how will you know what those promises are? The Holy Spirit is your Guide and your Helper, John 14:26 discloses “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

The part that I want to highlight is when the Lord say the words “bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” One of the primary ways that God helps us when we have no might is He points us to His Word. The Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance what He has said, but it is our responsibility to study and meditate on the Bible so that we have Scriptures stored in our memory bank to pull from.

I can’t express to you enough how significant it is that you read God’s Word, Study God’s Word, and live God’s Word. It is literally your daily bread that you need every single day!

Also, don’t forget to check out my other blogs:

Who is the Prophet Isaiah

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Fight Back

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Feed Your Spirit

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Renouncing

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Confess and Repent

Recognizing Spiritual Strongholds