• is on a mission of justice (v 1, 3, 4) • will not grow weary from his work (v 4) • is a light for the nations (v 6) • opens the eyes of the blind (v 7) • sets prisoners free (v 7) • guides his people (v 16) • turns darkness into light (v 16) • makes rough places level (v 16)
“These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them” (v 16). 🙌🙌
O Jesus…without him, how lost I would be…
👉 Anyone feeling bruised today? Like a wick only faintly burning? (v 3)
God says, “I will take you by the hand and keep you” (v 6).
Whatever is troubling you today – Jesus is faithfully on a mission to make all things right. He will not grow faint or be discouraged.
How many times do we see those words in Scripture? We read them and think, perhaps, he’s not aware of our situation. Surely, if he knew what we were dealing with, he would not tell us that there was nothing to fear!
But the Lord knows the frailty of the human heart. So, he tells us not to fear and then he tells us why fear isn’t necessary.
I DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR BC:
• I have been chosen by God (v 8-9).
• The Lord is with me (v 10).
• The Lord will strengthen me (v 10).
• The Lord will put my enemies to shame (v 11).
• The Lord holds my hand (v 13).
• My Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel (v 14).
• The Lord will answer me when I call (v 17).
• The Lord will not forsake me (v 17).
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me… Psalm 23:4
This life is difficult. For everyone. No one makes it through unscathed and we all bear the scars of worldly wounds.
So, chapter 40 is particularly comforting if you’re in one of those difficult valleys right now. It’s full of truths to remember in troubling times.
TRUTHS FOR TROUBLING TIMES
You belong to God (v 1).
“Comfort, MY PEOPLE…” It’s no wonder the passage begins here. We need to remember that we belong to God. This means that all the truths that follow are for us!
God is tender (v 2).
Hardship will end (v 2).
Iniquity is pardoned (v 2).
Every obstacle between God and His people will be removed (v 4).
The glory of the Lord will be revealed (v 5).
The Word of the Lord stands forever (v 8 ).
The Lord will come and reward the faithful (v 10).
The Lord will gently carry the weak (v 11).
The Lord has authority over all creation (v 12).
The Lord has all wisdom (v 14).
The Lord gives power to the weak (v 29).
We shall run and not grow weary (v 31).
I can’t pretend to know all the struggles you are currently facing. But I do know that you need to take some truth with you today.
We left God’s people at the end of chapter 36 standing defiantly silent in the face of the enemy’s taunts and threats. Now we see Hezekiah move into action.
“As soon as king Hezekiah heard it – he went into the house of the Lord…” v 1
As soon as…
Not after he pondered all the bad things that could happen and worked himself into a panic.
Not after he tried a couple of his own ideas first and failed.
Not after he polled his friends online to see what they thought about his current situation.
As soon as he was made aware of the problem – he went to the Lord.
Then, v 11, the enemy sends a letter! He threatens God’s people in writing. And what does Hezekiah do?
“Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it {the letter} before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord…” v 14-15
Hezekiah again takes the matter directly to God and literally lays his problem out for Him. “Okay, God, this is what I’m dealing with here.”
And look what happens.
👉 Hezekiah prayed… v 15
👉 The Lord said, “Because you have prayed…” v 21
👉 Out of Mount Zion a band of survivors… v 32
Things happen in unseen places when God’s people cry out to him.
Don’t give up. Keep praying. Lay it all out before the Lord. And, one day, a band of survivors – the remnant – the faithful – will appear in Zion. And many of us will be there because someone never stopped praying.
