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
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.
Comments