Isaiah 40: words of comfort and strength (that we sing all the time!)

From Isaiah 40, there is now a shift. The scene changes. The Babylonians have seized Jerusalem and many of God’s people have been deported to Babylon. They are living in exile. The capture of Jerusalem took place in 587BC. This was 100 years on from the chapters before. It is therefore extremely unlikely that the same Isaiah wrote this section. This is not a prophecy into the future. He is there. He is feeling it.

Scholars disagree about how many writers contributed to this book. It could be seen as a compilation of God’s messages to His people – a rich tapestry with several hands contributing to the work. But it is the same God throughout. The same God speaking through His messengers. The same God that brings unity.

Comfort ye My People from Handel’s Messiah is taken directly from Isaiah 40:1-4. A great way to start the day. This is how the Message puts it –

“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.”
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.”  Isaiah 40:1-5

Much needed words of comfort and reassurance for God’s people in Babylon. He has not forgotten them or abandoned them. Far from it. Their time of suffering is nearly over. He will come to them and a new order will be established. He will put everything right.

All people are like grass. Fragile. Here today and gone tomorrow. But God is not. His word endures forever.

God is mighty. God is all-powerful. Incomparable. He created the whole world. And yet –

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
he gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11

And just in case you forget…just in case you ever catch yourself complaining or thinking that God is neglecting you – then lift your eyes. Look at the sky. Consider the stars. Look around you. Look at the unique creatures. Wonder at the natural world. Who else could have done this? Who else has ever come close to doing anything like this? You are amazing, God.

Never forget this. Come back to this often. This is truth.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Of course there will be times when we doubt. When we forget. When we are overwhelmed with tiredness. Weary with the world. Confused. Weak. We are all human.

But in those times, we need to turn to God. We need to remember who God is. We need to shift our focus from how we are feeling and look to God. That is where our strength to carry on will come from. That is where the energy to get through the day will come from.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We sing it often enough.

Now to start living it.