During some of the most difficult days for God’s people, a prophet was sent with a message from God. For 39 chapters, Isaiah described the burden of judgment that came upon God’s people a result of disobedience. Isaiah 40 begins a transition that prepares a way for people to come to God.
Isaiah 40:1-2 NIV Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:3 NIVA voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”
The New Living Translations says: “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!”
Isaiah 40:4 NIV “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”
Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
This is God’s message for the redeemed of the Lord. God has prepared a way for the Lord to come to your aid. Did you hear that?
God wants you to know that from His hand He has prepared double for all your sins. Release and relief have been provided from God’s hand. Pay attention to the extent that God has prepared to deal with our sins. The language here is clear. God has provided more than just enough.
A double portion is prepared. God’s hand is strong to save from all our sins and destructions. God has not left this for someone else to do. The hand of the Lord has intervened to dispense with the trouble that has come because of our sins, weaknesses and failures.
So, don’t be afraid. He is able to save and deliver to the uttermost those who come to God through Christ. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.
God shall do this Himself. Salvation is from the Lord. He knows how to deliver His people. He will save to the uttermost those who come to God by Jesus Christ.
Isaiah said, “The Lord is coming.” God’s people had been in bondage too long. God was saying, “The day of deliverance has come.” The price for sins has been paid. The Lord has disposed and cancelled the debt.Don’t think for a moment that God has not paid the debt in full.
We have received from the Lord’s strong hand “double for all our sins.” After this statement God says: “Prepare a way for the Lord.” Clear the way for the Lord to come in.
Isaiah 40:3 NASB95A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low;
Isaiah 40:4-5 NASB95“And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Every obstruction must be removed. Anything that stands in the way must be taken away. Anything that makes progress difficult must be smoothed out. God is prepared to come in with an overwhelming work of grace, mercy, and power.
Isaiah 40:10-11 NIVSee, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
You need to see what God is doing.He is coming to His people. He is coming in power. He is coming to rule. He is coming with a great reward. He is coming to recompense and repair. He is coming to compensate and give double for your troubles.
Our focus is on what He is doing.
Isaiah 40:11 NIV He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.
No one can do what the Lord can do! He is coming to His people as a tender loving Shepherd. He is going to gather them close to His heart. He will repair the damage, brokenness and ruin. He will restore what the enemy has robbed and destroyed. He is able to do it.
You need to see Almighty God coming to your aid. He is full of grace, mercy, and power. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, because God is on your side. The Lord God Almighty is gathering you up. Pay attention to Who is coming to your aid.
Isaiah 40:12 NIVWho has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
The Lord our God is great to save! He is mighty to deliver His people. No sea of difficulty is too great for Him to cross. His greatness is incomprehensible. No mountain is too high to hinder His intervention. There is no way for you to reason or figure out what God is going to do. His thoughts, ways, and methods are beyond searching out.
We are told to “prepare a way for the Lord.”Get ready God is coming to us. Get ready for God to help you. Don’t say God is not interested in my situation. Don’t say there are too many things against me. Don’t say God is not able to help me. This is not the time to give up. God is coming and He is ready to help you! His reward is in His hand.
Isaiah 40:28 NIVDo you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:30 NIV They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
You are not going to make it on your own. You need to prepare a way for God to come in. He is ready to come with double for your sins and trouble. He is ready to come with a strong arm to deliver. He is ready to recompense. He will renew your strength. He will restore what has been destroyed. Satan cannot hold you back. Every chain will be broken. Every high thing that has exalted itself above God is going to be brought low.
Will you prepare a way for the Lord to come in? Will you get ready for God to come to your aid?
He is coming and both of His hands are full and overflowing. He has saving grace for you. He has healing power for you. He will give you strength.
