Strength for the Weary

 

Strength for the Weary by Derek W.H. Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A series of 8 sermons/meditations on select passages from Isaiah 40-65, Thomas does stick with the theme: God Himself is strength for the weary. Through His endurance, forgiveness, Sabbath rest, even His chastisement, which is NOT abandonment, the Lord God of all causes us to endure, and even to rejoice in Him.

Thomas' style (and accent?) is much like Sinclair Ferguson's. The emphasis is on explaining Scripture in a clear and engaging way, with the occasional illustration. Some examples:

On idolatry from Isaiah 47:
"Getting what our hearts dream of could be our greatest undoing. Why? Because our hearts dream of less than they should. We were made to glorify God, but our hearts dream of self-glory." (52)

On God as gatherer and rescuer of His people from Isaiah 43:
" 'I will find you,' God seems to be saying, 'wherever you are.'"
Thomas recounts "The Last of the Mohicans," when Nathaniel says to the girl, "I will find you, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far. I will find you."
A powerful illustration for those who know the story. (27)

The best thing about the book is that Thomas points us to who God is, as the source of our encouragement and strength. It isn't tips or life hacks or positive thinking that we need, but God Himself.

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