Theme: The Lord's saving help for the downtrodden and the weak. We also see how Jesus' life of prayer energized him for ministry.

COMMENTARY

Lesson 1: Isaiah 40:21-31 (C)
This chapter begins the second major section in the book of Isaiah, the so-called Duetero-Isaiah. It was written during the Babylonian captivity period, approximately 540 B.C., to give hope to the dejected captives. The prophet reminds the Hebrews that their God is creator of heaven and earth and nothing is impossible for him. In fact, this author employs the word "created" more than any other biblical writer (The Oxford Bible, p. 871). The people are warned against cynicism and pessimism, thinking that God has forgotten them. God does not grow weary or faint. He remains willing and able to save them. If they but wait …