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We come to Isaiah Chapter 40 and verse 3 . Our comforting God speaks to Isaiah. Isaiah - cry out - call out to My people - tenderly - "In the desert prepare for the way of the Lord - make a straight smooth road for ME." Isaiah - be like a prophetic bulldozer - flatten the bumps - fill in the potholes - I am coming through the desert to My people - and men will see the glory of the Lord. God is speaking about a time of change and hope

These words were applied to John the Baptist as he prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. The Son of God. When Jesus comes again it will be like a spiritually dry barren wilderness - but everyone will see it - everyone will know that HE has returned - and the glory of the Lord will be revealed.

God says to Isaiah - CRY OUT - but Isaiah is not very sure what to preach. Tell the people that all men are like grass. Their fame and glory is very temporary. They are like flowers in the field on a hot summer's day. Suddenly they disappear. And tell My People that the word of the Lord stands for ever.

People come and go - but the word of our Lord stands for ever.

Verse 9 . Now - go to Zion - and to Jerusalem - to the towns of Judah - lift up your voice and shout out this Word - "Here is your God." God is going to conquer His enemies. His arm rules. He is strong and mighty. He will see you released and returning to the land which HE has given you. He is a soldier King - and a caring Shepherd.

Verse 11 . He will shepherd you back to Zion - back to Jerusalem - safely.

Sheep and lambs are safe in His arms. God is reassuring His people of His gentle loving care, and He is coming alongside to help and guide.

Isaiah - as a prophet - as a preacher you need to be strong - you need to speak clearly - and you need to speak tenderly.

They had been forced out - because of their sins - they had had a horrendous time. But as they return God sees a little lamb who cannot walk - and who needs to be carried. God lifts those who are weak but wanting to go back - and He carries them close to His heart. He sees those who are with young - ewes with lambs - and leads them gently.

That is the God we come to this morning. Let this Word comfort you - let these truths put strength in your heart and mind and body for what lies ahead.

Verse 12 . Isaiah sees a big God - and this big God is able to deal with the troubles of His people. God has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand. Do you want to know how big God is? I'll tell you Isaiah says - consider the width of space - the millions and millions of miles - but that is the distance between His thumb and little finger.

Is this just poetry - picture language? Well, it is said in the same breath as Zion and Judah and Jerusalem - and some of us have walked in these real places. They are NOT pictures.

He weighed out the mountains in a little pair of hand scales. Or think of His Mind - we cannot understand the Spirit of the Lord - we are NOT His teacher - we cannot counsel Him as to how to do things.

Verse 15 . The nations are like a drop in a bucket - the nations are regarded as dust on the scales. Now - note – not His precious people - not those who have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Those who belong to God through Jesus Christ are precious - and our strong tender God cares and shepherds and leads and guides us - as if He had nothing else to do in the whole universe. That is how much we mean to God. Know that today!

“Loving Father – we come before a big God – a caring God – a compassionate and comforting God – who is able to guide and encourage and rescue us in these present times. Help us to see clearly what You are revealing through Isaiah – and may this inspire and motivate us to worship and pray and intercede – In Jesus’ name.” Amen.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

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