Comfort for God's People

Here are some passages from Isaiah 40 that I found encouraging.

"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).

This passage seems appropriate so close to Christmas because verse 3 is the verse John the Baptist quoted when people asked him who he was. They wondered if he was the Christ. And he seemed very glad to reply that he was not, but that he was the voice in the desert announcing the coming of the Messiah.

"'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:25-26)

"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. 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. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28b-31).

May God bless your hearts this week, providing comfort and joy when you need it most.