Project 119: Heaven and Nature Sing | Isaiah 40
| Project 119 | Amy Hirsch
Reading for Monday, December 7: Isaiah 40
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
-"Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
The word “consolation” often leaves a negative taste in our mouths. Perhaps it makes you think of a consolation prize, as a solace for not winning first-place. Maybe it’s something you take consolation in, as you say to yourself, “Well, at least ________ didn’t happen, or at least I didn’t ________.” But Charles Wesley didn’t intend to water down the meaning of the word “consolation” in this hymn. After all, to provide consolation means to console or comfort someone. And in Isaiah 40, God speaks words of true comfort over His people.
Isaiah 40 is a turning point in the book of Isaiah. Throughout the book, the prophet has been warning about the inevitable exile that will come, by the hand of Babylon, for God’s people if they refuse to repent. In Isaiah 40, Isaiah speaks prophetically to those who have lived through the exile, to give them a word of consolation. “Comfort, comfort My people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1 ESV). Why does God speak this word of comfort to them? Throughout Isaiah 40, God gives His people reasons to take comfort. Here are just a few: their warfare has ended (40:2); their iniquity has been pardoned (Isaiah 40:2); they have received a double portion of grace from the Lord in exchange for their sins (Isaiah 40:2); all flesh will see the glory of the Lord in person (Isaiah 40:5); God’s word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8); God comes to rule with might, and yet cares for His children as a shepherd cares for His sheep (Isaiah 40:9-12); God is the one who created and established the world, who actively reigns over it, who calls the stars by name, who is beyond comparison (Isaiah 40:12:-26).
As you read through Isaiah 40, ask the Lord to speak to you and to show you specific reasons to take comfort in these truths today, remembering that these words are not consolation prizes but are true comfort for those who really believe the Lord is “the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth … [who] does not faint or grow weary” (Isaiah 40:28 ESV). After all, these words of comfort give strength to those of us who are tired and weary, who feel as if we cannot go on (Isaiah 40:30), because we recognize that our hope is not in our own strength or circumstances or might—it is only in the Lord.
As we wait on the Lord, in whatever we are facing in these days, we take comfort in these specific truths from His word, trusting that He indeed is the hope of all of the earth, and that no one who waits on Him will be put to shame (Psalm 25:3). And, we look forward to the day when our faith will be made sight, when we will hunger and thirst no more, when the “Lamb in the midst of the throne will be [our] shepherd, and He will guide us to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:17 ESV).