Good morning,
This week our Scripture verse is Isaiah 40:31. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40 transitions from judgment to the restoration and comfort for Israel.
Yesterday we looked at God proclaiming comfort toward Israel. So how does God comfort Israel? He sent them the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.
JOHN THE BAPTIST PROPHESIED (40:3-5)
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
How was Israel to know the Lord?
THE WORD OF GOD SHALL STAND FOREVER (40:6-8)
“The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
So what does God want Israel to do with God’s word?
BEHOLD YOUR GOD (40:9-11)
“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
God wants Israel to proclaim the “good tidings” He is bringing.
Tomorrow God begins asking several rhetorical questions. The answer to the questions is the same. Tomorrow we will discover what it is.
Since God has sent Jesus to die for our sins, redeem us from our devilish ways, and prepares for us a home in heaven, what should our response be? Lift up your voice with strength and be not afraid as you proclaim God’s word to others.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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