Haven’t You Heard?

As a kid, I'd read and found encouragement in Isaiah 40:31:

31Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

A number of years later, I read the preceding verses to find its context. Verses 28 and 29 jumped off the page at me!

28Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired His understanding is inscrutable. 29He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.

At that time in my life – and far too frequently since – He was calling me, drawing my back from rebellion. I imagined what frustration my life must be causing a holy, loving, Heavenly Father. And then I read this and here’s what I heard:
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? I, the Creator of the ends of the Earth, am understanding (and loving) beyond anything you could conceive. I CHOSE YOU and don’t get tired of you! Not only do I not get tired of you, but I will infuse you with strength. I know you don’t have the power to overcome the sin and rebellion in your life right now. That’s okay. I’ll give you the necessary power to overcome.

That the One who created the universe would even notice me is beyond my understanding. That He has this kind of love for a rebellious, stubborn, stupid, arrogant, punk like me just totally blows my mind.

If you think you have done something, been someone that’s beyond His forgiveness, reread verse 28. His understanding is inscrutable. “No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” (NLT)