God's message of comfort to Israel

ISAIAH    CHAPTER 40

The message given to the people from Isaiah was one of comfort from the Lord. He told them the Lord wanted the people to know all of Israel's sad times were gone and all sins pardoned. The Lord spoke of making a highway through the desert for God and preparing for the glory of the Lord.

God asked that the people shout about the word of the Lord which stands forever. The people were like grass or flowers in a field whose beauty withers and fades. He asked that the people of Zion be messengers and shout out the news that the Lord was coming! Coming to rule with awesome strength and he would feed his flock like a shepherd and carry the lambs and gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

The people would know the Lord because he held the oceans in his hand, he measured off the heavens with his fingers, he knew the weight of the earth. He did not ask for their advice for the Holy Spirit, nor need instruction about what he does or is; there was no comparison with him. The people were but a drop in the bucket and all of Lebanon's forests did not contain enough fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him.

So then to whom can the people compare God? An idol? Isaiah asks the people of Israel how they assumed the earth was begun. He asks if they are ignorant. Can they not see that God sits above the circle of earth. he spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. He judges the great people of the world and brings them to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and their work withers.  God dares the people to compare him; he has no equal. He tells them to look to heaven and ask themselves who created the stars.

The Lord sees Israel's troubles. He does not refuse to hear their case. He asks the people why they don't understand that he is the everlasting God, Creator of all the earth, who never grows faint or weary. He gives power to the tired and strength to the weak. Those who wait on the Lord will find strength and fly high on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary; walk and not faint.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW:The reference to grass and flowers withering away, means we are mortal. Rolling out a smooth road means we must prepare for the coming of the Lord. The desert is chosen as a picture of life's trials and sufferings.This same reference of preparation was used by John the Baptist as he challenged the people to prepare for the coming Messiah. (Matthew 3:3)

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Did this chapter give you different pictures of God? As a shepherd. As a powerful being, yet careful and gentle? True he is all of these,  but he also cares for each of us personally. Our knowledge of him and his true power will always be limited, because we are human beings.  What is your own concept of God? Don't limit his work in your life by underestimating him. Only in God's eternal Word can we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs. Pray to him for understanding. Waiting on the Lord is the patient expectation that God will fulfill his promise. Trust completely in HIM.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Update on Logan: She gave birth to a healthy, baby boy. Thank you God!


Pray for Gabe.


Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.


Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.


Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.


Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.


Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.


Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.


Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.


Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.


Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.


SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary


RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John


LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian


SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.