The prophet Isaiah lived in critical days of international upheaval. He wrote what many consider to be the greatest book in the Old Testament. “We see Isaiah move with fearless dignity through the chaos of his day,” wrote E.M. Blaiklock, “firm in his quiet faith, sure in his God.”
At a time when empires were rising and falling and his own nation Israel was in peril, it was Isaiah who wrote, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Isaiah is the prophet we need to hear today as he cries out God’s message above the clamor of world upheaval, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (40.1). Our word “comfort” comes from two Latin words that together mean “with strength.” When Isaiah says to us “Be comforted!” it is a word of power, not pity. God strengthens us and empowers us rather than weakens and indulges.
When, like Israel of old, we face a difficult task and an impossible tomorrow, we must do what they did and remind ourselves of the greatness of God. In chapter 40 Isaiah reminds us that God is greater than the circumstances behind us, the circumstances before us, and the circumstances within us.
As the remnant of Israel in Babylon looked back, they saw failure and sin; and they needed encouragement. God had a special message for these needy people.
They heard a voice of pardon. The nation had sinned greatly against the Lord, with their idolatry, injustice, immorality, and insensitivity to His messengers. But they were still His people, and He loved them. Though He would chasten them, He would not forsake them. We should not sin; but if we do, God is waiting to pardon. The way back may not be easy; but if we are trusting God, it will be easier. As they began their long journey home, Israel could depend on God’s promises. The good news in that day was the defeat of Babylon and the release of the captive Jews. The Good News today is the defeat of sin and Satan by Jesus Christ and the salvation of all who will trust in Him.
When you behold the greatness of God, then you will see everything else in life in its proper perspective.
God knows how we feel and what we fear, and He is adequate to meet our every need. We can never obey God in our own strength, but we can always trust Him to provide the strength we need. If we trust ourselves, we will faint and fall; but if we wait on the Lord by faith, we will receive strength for the journey. As we wait before Him, God enables us to soar when there is a crisis, to run when the challenges are many, and to walk faithfully in the day-by-day demands of life.
Someone once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” take that step today.
Maranatha!
(mar-uh-nath-uh – “Our Lord Comes”) Pastor Steve can be reached at PastorSteve@MaranathaBibleChurch.org