Isaiah’s attitude changes as he comes to chapter 40. Earlier chapters spoke of coming judgment through the Assyrians, but now he’s writing to encourage and comfort God’s people. And he does it by lifting our minds to the greatness of God. When I think about the nations in our world today, compared to the greatness of God they are nothing—less than nothing: vanity. They are but dust on a scale compared to Him.

That perspective matters because my heart gets loud when I’m waiting. My circumstances can feel huge. My pressure can feel heavy. But Isaiah 40 is a comparison of the greatness of God and the weakness of humanity. Princes are brought to nothing. Judges are vanity. Human power looks impressive until God blows upon it and it withers. That doesn’t minimize the burden—it magnifies the Lord.

And when I’m tired—and I do get tired—I need this reminder: the Christian life takes strength, but it is not my strength. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” I need God’s help. This strength is renewed when we wait. Waiting is not weakness when it is leaning on the everlasting God who fainteth not, neither is weary. It is admitting what is true: my strength is small, but His might is great.