Our Comfort and Hope
Isaiah 40:1–11
By Lacey Komis
Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Isaiah 40 is a passage of comfort and hope. At this time in history, the prophet Isaiah is warning the people of Israel that they will be exiles in Babylonian captivity. When we get to chapter 40, Isaiah’s tone is full assurance and comfort as he helps them look forward to the hope of what is ahead. They will have lived through incredibly difficult times, but God will relent, and this is where verse 1 begins.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” God is comforting His people, assuring her that “her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned.” Their punishment will end. Verses 3-8 solidify the assurance that God is coming. “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” He has not left His people. In fact, He has something so magnificent in store for them. Hope, and that hope is revealed in the person of Jesus.
Isaiah establishes that “the word of our God will stand forever” and challenges the people to go out and shout it from the rooftops just how great their God is. God is full of might and strength. The ESV study Bible says that the Lord goes to His people as a “conquering king, a generous benefactor, and a gentle shepherd.” He is coming for His people in relentless pursuit. One way we see this is in verse 4, “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” He is willing to move heaven and earth to reach His children. And as their shepherd, He will lead them, love them, protect them, die for them, and rise again for them.
How much more should the promises of God mean to us after reading this? Jesus, our gracious and awesome King, came for us. He is our good Shepherd. He loves us with a sacrificial, pure love. He protects us with His life. He leads us through every moment of every day. He conquered death so that we could live. Take comfort, people of God. Our good King Jesus is our sure and steadfast comfort and hope.
Thank you, God, for sending us your Son, our sure and steadfast hope. Help us to remember your promises and walk in your truth today.