Isaiah
40 reminds me of today! The prophet speaks to a weary people and
brings them God’s word of peace. If you are worn down, worn out or
empty, listen to God’s message. “Comfort
My people, says your God. Speak tenderly“.
He is speaking to Jerusalem, but he is also speaking to those that
have used up all their own resources, “her
hard service has been completed… her sin has been paid for“.
To those that have just endured for so long, this sounds unreal. He
continues, “Prepare the way for
the LORD“. They hesitate,
expecting there must be a catch. “The
rough ground shall become level… And the glory of the LORD will be
revealed“. Isaiah does not
convince; he confirms, “For the
mouth of the LORD has spoken“.
They stand in silence, needing relief, but unable to fully
comprehend, “A voice says, ‘Cry
out’“. Isaiah explains that
God is above all that they have known. “All
people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers
of the field… The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word
of our God endures forever“.
In the lines, in the crowds, in the noise, they stop and listen.
Isaiah is commanded to “lift up
your voice with a shout“.
“The Sovereign LORD comes with
power, and He rules with a mighty arm“.
“Here is your God!”
“He gathers the lambs in his
arms and
carries them close to his heart“.
Is it time to receive the promise? Do not let fatigue keep you from
His message of comfort.
Isaiah
continues, God “measured the
waters in the hollow of His hand… the breadth of His hand marked
off the heavens“. The entire
universe is within the span of His hand. He asks, “Who
can fathom the Spirit of
the LORD?” Are your problems
too big for God? Are your trials beyond His understanding? “With
whom, then, will you compare God?”
Isaiah asks all who stand with arms full of their own burdens, “Do
you not know? Have you not heard?”
The greatness of God has “been
told you from the beginning… since the earth was founded“.
How big is your God?
Perhaps
God is too distant? Is He unreachable, unapproachable, beyond your
grasp? Isaiah guides our understanding, “Lift
up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who
brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by
name… not one of them is missing“.
God is infinite, yet He is a personal God. Are you the exception?
Do you say, “My way is hidden
from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God“?
Nothing is beyond His understanding, or His mercy. “The
LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary“.
Isaiah concludes, “He gives
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak“.
Still trusting in your own strength? “Even
youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but
those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength“.
Friend, do you need peace today? “My
sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch
them out of My hand” (John
16:33). I believe He wants to hold you close to His heart today.
Isaiah closes with a promise to those who receive forgiveness through
Christ, “They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint“. Is He
calling you by name?