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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise To whom can I compare you, and who is like you? I look up and see the stars, the host of heaven. You created each one, and you bring them out and call them all by name. Because of your mighty power, not one of them is missing (Isa 40:26). You are great and greatly to be praised! Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the first part of Isaiah’s “Book of Comfort” (Isa 40–48). The book of Isaiah makes a dramatic shift at chapter forty. Rather than continuing to warn Judah of impending judgment, Isaiah offered them comfort, and his message turned from punishment for sin to restoration after exile. Judah’s coming exile was over 100 years away, yet Isaiah addressed the people of that day as though he was present with them. Isaiah told the exiles of Judah that you still loved them. Yes, you had punished them “double” for their sin, but you had not cast them off forever. Indeed, Isaiah heard a voice calling out, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord” (Isa 40:3). It was the voice of John the Baptist urging the people to prepare their hearts to receive the Messiah! Your faithful Servant was coming, and he would save his people from their sins. This teaches me the importance of maintaining a tender and repentant heart. Those who humble themselves and wait on you will enjoy the care of the Shepherd and the strength of their God (Isa 40:11). Isaiah declared you to be the one true God, and he exposed the idols of the nations as worthless pieces of wood and metal. They could not predict the future, and they could not control the kingdoms of men. Isaiah asked his readers, “Who stirred up one from the east [Cyrus] whom victory meets at every step? Who has performed and done this?” The answer: “I, the Lord…I am he” (Isa 41:2, 4). The nations would tremble at the approach of Cyrus’s armies, and they would call on their gods to save them. Yet Judah had no need to fear the mighty Persian empire, “for I am your God” (Isa 41:10). This teaches me to put my trust in the One who knows the end from the beginning, the One who uses the rulers of this world to accomplish his divine purposes! Isaiah then announced the coming of the Messiah: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations” (Isa 42:1). This is the first of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs” which speak of the earthly ministry of Jesus. He would open the eyes of the blind and release those who dwell in darkness. He would be a light to the nations and a covenant to the people. Hallelujah! Reflection I want my strength to be renewed. I want to mount up with wings like an eagle, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint (Isa 40:31). But am I willing to do what must come first? Am I willing to “wait for the Lord”? Request Father, when I feel like you have abandoned me, help me remember what I know to be true: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isa 40:27–28). Thanksgiving Thank you for Isaiah’s comforting message: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “He Shall Gather the Lambs” — Charlotte G. Homer. Meditation Verse: Isaiah 40:11. |