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. (NIV) Isaiah 40:1-2
Isaiah 40 begins with the words “comfort, comfort” spoken to the few faithful people of Israel who are now in exile in Babylon. God promises His people that He will come in strength to rescue them and that He, the creator of the universe, “comes with power and His arm rules for Him” (v.10). God is not like a temporal or transient man (v.6-7), but instead is mighty enough to not allow anything to stand in the way of the remnant returning to Jerusalem (v.3-5). Isaiah also describes the nations of the world as a minuscule “drop in the bucket” compared to God, implying that God is not dependent upon what man does. “To whom, then, will you compare God?” Isaiah asks in verse 18. His capability and power to return the Jews to Jerusalem is unquestionable!
How are you doubting God’s power today? What “impossibility” do you see in your life that is too big for God? Don’t laugh at these questions. If you dig down deep into yourself, you will find someone that you have given up on. . . or a situation that you don’t believe will ever change. . . don’t give up, turn to God!
