Isaiah 40:1-5 The Message
“Comfort”.
That is a word I use many times in ministry.
As we read these verses I am aware of many who need comfort.
Isaiah 40 represents a shift in this longest of the prophetic books.
Beginning with Isaiah 40 we have chapters that are full of hope and redemption and revelation from a compassionate God.
Isaiah 40 is written to a people, who have been ripped from their homes and cast into exile.
Suddenly, there is a “be still and know that I am God” moment.
God tells the prophet that “Comfort, comfort” is to be tenderly spoken in the trauma of exile.
When we are still to know this God, we find a grace centred, compassionate one, “slow to anger, rich in love”.
Whatever you are doing today, I encourage you to take a little (or maybe a little more than a little) time to rest in the presence of a compassionate comforting God. Allow his spirit to hug your soul with grace, healing, soothing, bringing hope to all of your anxieties and worries.
1-2 “Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God.
“Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,
but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence,
that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough,
and now it’s over and done with.”
but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence,
that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough,
and now it’s over and done with.”
3-5 Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks. Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it.
Yes. Just as God has said.”
Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks. Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it.
Yes. Just as God has said.”
“Comfort”.
That is a word I use many times in ministry.
As we read these verses I am aware of many who need comfort.
- Some are grieving.
- Some are full of anxiety and stress.
- Others are concerned about their health or the health of loved ones.
- Others are concerned about their job and their income.
- Others are worried about Christmas expenses this year.
- Others are dreading the tensions of Christmas gatherings.
- Then there is our world and it’s tensions.
Isaiah 40 represents a shift in this longest of the prophetic books.
Beginning with Isaiah 40 we have chapters that are full of hope and redemption and revelation from a compassionate God.
Isaiah 40 is written to a people, who have been ripped from their homes and cast into exile.
Suddenly, there is a “be still and know that I am God” moment.
God tells the prophet that “Comfort, comfort” is to be tenderly spoken in the trauma of exile.
When we are still to know this God, we find a grace centred, compassionate one, “slow to anger, rich in love”.
Whatever you are doing today, I encourage you to take a little (or maybe a little more than a little) time to rest in the presence of a compassionate comforting God. Allow his spirit to hug your soul with grace, healing, soothing, bringing hope to all of your anxieties and worries.
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