Isaiah Chapters 40-42

40:3 - This is a verse that is prophesying the coming of John the Baptist as confirmed by Matthew chapter 3 in the New Testament.

40:5 - The glory of the Lord shall be revealed...the glory of the Lord came down in the human form of Jesus. Jesus lived his life and showed us a standard of living that is unattainable by ourselves. As God made flesh he showed us the beauty inherent in actually living as God intended us to live all along. If we choose to let ourselves be transformed by the Spirit of God, our very lives can reflect the glory of the Lord into this world.

40:8 - Again, Isaiah reminds us to not put our trust in the things of this world. Everything that is of this world fades, dies, losses its meaning, yet the Word of the Lord and the truth of the Way of God endures forever. Why do I get so distracted?

40:12-15 - These verses sound a great deal like passages from the Book of Job when God answers Job out of the storm (It would have been quite terrifying I believe). See, when people choose to question God they really have very little ground to stand on...honestly, what do we know? I can only see what it going on in and around my individual life...God is sustaining and caring for every form of life that exists all the time. I think He might have a better perspective on how to run the world than we do.

40:27 - The people then sound a lot like us today don't they? They whine and complain to God. They say, "God, do you see what's going on in our lives? Are you even listening? Do you even care about me? God what about my rights...what about the things I deserve?" People seem to be born with an innate sense of entitlement. We seem to forget that what we really deserve is punishment for denying what our creator made us to be...and yet as we will see in the next couple of chapters, what He offers us is grace and mercy.

40:28ff - Isaiah answers back to them...oh, you think you know a better way to run the world...is that right? Did I forget to mention to you who this God you dare to question is? He is the everlasting God. He doesn't rest like you have to. Doesn't grow weak...doesn't grow weary...He is. He is in control...He is full of power...He is the life and strength giver. (These verses are also the inspiration for a great song we sing at church called "Everlasting God"...almost word for word)

41:5-6 - Even the pagan peoples from the coast have seen the Lord at work and have begun to fear Him. Here we have more proof that God has always been working in the rest of the world as well as Israel. The fear of the Lord drives the people to draw together in brotherhood and community...this is what happens we people humble themselves before God. Everyone understands that they are all in the same boat...there is no one superior to another because everyone is vastly inferior to God. The fear of God brings humility and peace.

41:17 - God always hears the cries of the thirsty...He sees them...He understands their plight...they are not alone...He will not forsake them. Christians - we are the hands and feet of God in this world...we are the ones who need to be bringing hope and water to everyone in the world in the name of God. Don't let those people be forsaken because we chose to ignore their plight.

42:1-3 - Here we have more Messianic prophesies. Jesus did not try to raise up an army and lead a revolution of violence and oppression...he led a revolution of love through his death. He faithfully brought for justice for everyone in the world by dying in our place. But that doesn't seem like justice does it...the innocent God/man was slain while the sinful masses were set free. The justice comes because the price of our sin was paid. Things were made right. God made the choice to take things into His own hands and right our wrongs.

42:6-7 - God took the old covenant and tore it up, and then He chose to hold up both ends of the covenant Himself. He knew we could never hold up our end of the relationship and so He paid both prices...He blessed us, loves us, sustains us and He died to set us free from the prison of sin and death we'd enslaved ourselves in.

42:20 - How often has this been me - seeing the tings going on in the world around me, but not really seeing them. Not really being moved to do anything about it. Hearing the cries of the lost and broken, but not really hearing. What is it gonna take for me to see with God's eyes and hear with God's ears.