COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31
Chapter 40 is the opening chapter of Deutero-Isaiah written in 540 B.C. at a time of the Babylonian captivity. God's people are slaves in a foreign land. They are weak and helpless. They need a message from Yahweh. He is a God of power and glory. The people are saying that their God does not know of their situation. Yahweh reminds them that he is creator of the world, an everlasting God who gives strength to the powerless. They that wait on the Lord shall have his strength to bear the burdens of life.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
In this chapter Paul defends his ministry against those who condemn him for not taking pay from his churches, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." Paul was economically independent by working as a tent-maker. Pau…