Let's spend a few days in Isaiah 40. There are so many deep treasures found in this passage that one could live off this chapter from the Bible by itself. Let's jump in. This chapter shows us more of the "glory of God." It shows us His glory, but also His greatness. Isaiah wants to show us how great Daddy is when it comes to comforting and providing. He begins the chapter with:
vs. 1 "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God."
The word picture for the Old Testament meaning of comfort is to take a deep and prolonged sigh. Furthermore, it means to change your attitude or disposition, to change your purpose.
vs.2 "speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the Lord's hand, double for all her sins."
The phrase "call out to her" represents God calling us out, or inviting us specifically to get our attention. In other words, "Jerusalem, please come to me, for the inner struggle is over, I am your God and I have forgiven you so take what I offer to you."
Two small verses but maximum impact:
1. God wants us to stop!!! He wants us to take the time to let anything that blocks a close relationship to Him out of our system. He literally want us to cry, to sob uncontrollable and then let out "life" before Him.
2. After doing this, He assures us in the next verse that He's not going to let us figure out by ourselves what do next after we've let all of our emotions exposed to the enemy. Look at the action verbs "speak and call out" in verse 2. HE CALLS US TO HIS MERCY!!! That's how much he loves us. He "calls out" to us, by name to take what His hand offers. The verse says He even gives us a double portion from His hand just so there is no mistake on His mercy and grace.
The lesson for today. If you are dealing with stress, doubt, fear, anxiety, sin, etc . . . STOP RIGHT NOW IN TRACKS!!! Let it all out before the Lord. Sob and sigh, sigh or sob, it doesn't matter. What matters is not how you do it, it's why you do it. To get rid of the baggage that drags us towards depression and apathy. Take His hand. Take His portion of mercy and grace. Try it. What do have to lose?
Daddy,
Thank you so much for always being there. For letting us return, and cry, and sob. I pray those who read this today can stop and "get the junk out." I pray that we know that Your hand is always stretched out for us.
Your son,
Jody
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