Isaiah 40

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. (40:31)

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This third part of Isaiah looks further forward (then the first two sections), and to greater things. The captivity in Babylon, and their deliverance out of that,are here foretold. Before God sent his people into captivity he furnished them with precious promises for their support and comfort in their trouble. We may well imagine how much it helped to encourage them by the rivers of Babylon.  Much of this next secion is an introduction to Christ and gospel grace we know today. In fact, it seems to be a summary of the entire New Testament. "The voice of one crying in the wilderness’’ ch. 40:3 ), and concludes with that which concludes the book of the Revelation, "The new heavens and the new earth,’’ ch. 66:22 ).

So, here we go...

Immediately the words are familiar. They come straight out of Handel's Messiah. Or, to be exact, Handel took his words straight from Isaiah. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins". Israel did countless things wrong. Some of the transgression were even very ugly. Yet, God has chosen Israel as His people. This simply means that regardless of how far she strays...God will always pursue her.And God intends that Israel be comforted by this promise.

But, God's pursuit is not without consequence...

It's not always comfortable.We know God disciplines those whom He loves. I'm reminded of Tevya, the Dairyman in "Fiddler on the Roof".  As he surveys the hardness of his life he speaks to God. "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?"

This seems to be the story of God's chosen. We never see the pain as part of the process of redemption. We feel the pain of discipline and we want to get away. When, in fact, we ought to move closer to God. So...God simply moves closer to us....So close, in fact, that we will experience "God with us". Isaiah says A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God".

What a metaphor. A highway....straight toward us...just in case we're inclined to wonder if God will ever find us. He already has His GPS calibrated.  He has told his messengers "lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” The chapter is full and rich. It's worthy of reading several times back to back...just to absorb the goodness of God. But, it doesn't change our reality: Life is difficult. Life is painful...for those of us who belong to God. It's not easier just because we know the trouble is often our own fault.

I leave you with this: 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. (40:31). Why? Because when the object of our hope arrives our trouble will be over. Our sins will be paid in full.

For Israel it's still a promise. For you and I, it is a historical fact...revealed in in Christ. He'd like us to cuddle up close so He can comfort us.

Live boldly out there today...