Comfort My People Advent 2nd Sunday 2023

Comfort Ye My People

“Comfort ye my people …” - Isaiah 40:1-8

 

God speaks in advance of our need. He looks down the road and knows what we are going to face. He sees the challenges before we do. He experiences our pain before it ever comes to us. He understands our sorrows and frustrations. He anticipates our doubts and every temptation we will ever face.

 

He knows there will come a time when we need a word of comfort.

 

He knew such a time would come for His people and prompted Isaiah to comfort them. He knew that in the fullness of time that word of comfort would come as the Word made flesh and dwelling among us. Try to hear these words from Isaiah 40 sung by soloist in Handel’s “Messiah” as you read them and experience them as a love song from the Father.

 

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

It is God Himself who speaks the word of comfort through Jesus Christ. He speaks and we echo His Word to a world in turmoil,

 

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,

His voice is gentle and comforting in Christ. We are to speak that same comfort to His people with gentle strength and quiet confidence.

 

… and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,

It is the cessation of hostilities. The war is over. We don’t have to fight for our salvation. He has come in person and freely offers His peace.

 

that her iniquity is pardoned …

God has taken the initiative to forgive, to heal the breach, to restore His people. What a privilege it is to announce pardon to those who will receive the message.

 

… 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.

Let us join the company of those who proclaim His coming. Let us not miss the opportunity this Christmas season. The world is hurting and listening. Let us be speaking comfort.