TEXT: Isaiah 40:1-11, 28-31
READING: Psalm 27:1-14
SUBJ: Words of comfort and encouragement from the Lord found in our answers to questions from the Lord and realized through Christ Jesus our Lord.
AIM: That we might be encouraged by the determination of the Lord to reveal Himself to us and in us as we wait upon Him.
INTR: It is found to be quite effective for a teacher to lead the student to the discovery of a much-needed lesson by questioning. The Lord uses just such a ploy in this declaration of His sovereignty with the intention of rendering comfort.
1. This is considered by many to be the beginning of a new section of the book here and begins with some precious observations.
2. The directive to the prophet is that the Lord’s people be comforted. The account of Hezekiah preceded this along with some ominous signs.
3. The greatest comfort was the declaration that the Lord was coming in the person of Christ and all that was to transpire as a result would assuredly be accomplished.
THESIS: Our greatest comfort is to be realized in the determination of the Lord to comfort His people and the greatest assurance has been given us in the revelation of Christ Jesus our Lord. And we are assured of His ability to do all that He has said.
I. The Comforting Word (vv. 1-8)
1. The aim of the Lord declared is followed by the prophecy concerning John the Baptist and his message concerning the appearance of Christ and His ministry.
1) As to what should be accomplished (v. 4)
2) As to what would be revealed (v. 5)
3) The Lord has spoken it.
2. The mandate to cry: (v. 6)
1) The feebleness of men and their lack of glory,
2) The effect of the Spirit of the Lord – the people seen as grass. (v. 7)
3. The enduring Word (v. 8)
1) It is the word of our God and,
2) It shall stand.
II. The Comforting Character of the Lord (vv. 9-11)
1. The mandate to Zion and the message we bear. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
1) To declare Him in all His Majesty and
2) To declare the mighty works of God and
3) To declare Him as mighty to save
2. His sovereignty declared (v. 10)
3. His gentleness with His people:
1) He is seen as the tender shepherd and declared to be by those who know Him.
2) He preciously carries the weak and the most defenseless ones.
3) He carries them near to His heart, and
4) He gently leads and does so in paths of righteousness.
III. The comforting power of God (vv. 12-28) (selected questions)
1. The greatness of God in His might in that He measures the waters, metes out heaven with a span, understands the small dust, and weighs the mountains. The comparison of v. 12.
2. Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? See 1 Corinthians 2:16. (v. 13)
1) Consider the question to Nicodemus and
2) See also: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:33-34).
3) No sufficient sacrifice.
3. To whom will ye liken?
1) As to likenesses compared to the idolater (vv. 18-20)
2) Have ye not known from the foundations of the earth? (vv. 21-23)
3) To whom shall ye liken (v. 25)
4) Why do you say (v. 27)
IV. Comforted in waiting (vv. 28-31)
1. A final question and a revelation to them
1) He is the everlasting Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth and
2) He does not faint and is not weary,
3) There is no searching of His understanding – He knows us and all about us.
4) He gives power to the faint – most unlikely person which just might be you!
5) The strongest of men faint and fall.
2. But they that wait:
1) Not merely enduring with and empty and presumptive outlook.
2) It is rather that we wait in the same sense that our Lord told the disciples to wait for the outpouring of the Spirit at the time of His ascension.
3) For provision from Him who is able to make all provision – wings as eagles.
4) So, we are encouraged to “Be not weary in well-doing…”
3. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:3)”
