July 26: Isaiah 40-43

July 26, Isaiah 40-43

Isaiah 40 God now offers hope and comfort for His people. What is the hope in? Jesus Christ, the Savior for them and us. All four Gospels quote this section of Scripture, “A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Matt 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4-6, John 1:23). In the Gospels - the records of Jesus - this is fulfilled by John the Baptist. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed in the Old Testament, like we are reading here. John the Baptist was getting people ready for the coming Messiah, just like they were told would happen. And Isaiah tells us of the magnitude of Christ’s coming… “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” This was not just for the Jews, but for all people to witness it. The Glory of the Lord revealed in Jesus Christ. Christ is coming and He will be a gentle Shepherd through God. 

Isaiah goes on to warn that idols are nothing more than something that man has made and God has had enough of them. God sits above everything and Sovereignly puts it all together. God’s people are to get rid of their idols and persevere in God. We cannot hide our sins anymore from God than they could. But we must be able to confess, “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Our strength & power comes from relying on God’s strength, obviously not our own. We are to rely on Him and put our trust in Him, because He never gets tired or fails. 

Isaiah 41 God is guiding Sovereignly and intentionally for His purposes and we benefit from it. Can you imagine a world that had no order or purpose? We are to trust in the purposes of God and the love of God. God’s Words to Israel are just as much for us today, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Now that is comforting for us to hear. We are reminded as well that God compassionately and intentionally controls all things. Looking at the world, as it seems to be spinning out of control around us, this is some comforting news.

Isaiah continues on with a discussion on the worthlessness of idols. Obviously, God’s people and other nations were infatuated with idols, not seeing that they are just a mimic of the real thing (Yahweh!). They were intended to steal glory from God, but they can deliver nothing. Literally.

Isaiah 42 Who is God’s chosen servant? Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only one who can deliver. God puts the Holy Spirit on Him to bring forth justice. Back in Isaiah’s time, I am sure that those listening were craving a restoration from exile and suffering. Jesus came to fulfill the mission of restoration - but that is just as much for us too as it was for them. We need to be delivered as well - whether we know it or not in a culture that tells us we can be our own savior & redeemer. But we cannot - we need Him. Jesus is the only hope. Christ will bring freedom and that He surely does. God is the only God. It does not say the He is God of gods, or the best of the gods. He is the only God. Period. 

On top of that, all things that come to pass are because He ordains it to. That in and of itself is nothing short of a miracle. 

Now, Rejoice! God wants His people to praise Him for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do. 

God knew the sufferings of His people (and still does). God will restore and heal and guide. But - stay away from worthless worship (fake idols and fake worship…). 

God’s own people failed to see and hear what Isaiah was saying and to see what God was doing. We too are blind & dar to what God is doing. We cannot choose whether or not to see certain things, but it is through the power of God that things are revealed.

Isaiah 43 Israel’s only Savior = Jesus Christ. God extends His grace to us through His Son. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” Take comfort if you have placed your faith in the one True God. I have. When life gets really tough, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through “the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  Praise God! He is there and real and alive! We are precious to God and He loves us (vs 4). 

The Israelites were God’s witnesses to the world as to what He has done. I firmly believe that is us now - we have seen what God has done and we have ‘witnessed’ it - witnessed it to tell others about. God is our Redeemer, just like He was the Redeemer of the Israelites.

God always makes a way, even when it seems impossible. Remember that God is ordaining everything, so trust Him in your journey.

We are not to be like the Israelites, becoming self-reliant and burdening God with our sins. 

To sum it all up: 

• The Old Testament points to Christ. The New Testament reveals Christ fulfilled through the Old Testament. 
• We are to rely on Him and put our trust in Him, because He never gets tired or fails. 
• God is with us. He is our God. He strengthens us. He upholds us. He helps us. He has got us!
• We often times choose sin over holiness, like the Israelites. This should not be. Fight the proclivity to want sin. 
• How amazing is this thought of being precious to God and how He loves us? The God of the Universe cares about us and loves us! He is with us, so don’t be afraid thinking that you are going through this life alone. He is right there with you.