Text: Isaiah 40:1-31, Isaiah 41:1-29, John 1:23, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
I remember the exact Tennessee pasture I was passing when I found out things were not okay. One 43-second phone call was all it took to reroute my morning commute and all future plans. My favorite person was gone, leaving a void too large and a shock too real to swallow. I wasn’t sure what else to do but to keep driving, allowing the quiet backroad to usher me out of my once-present joy and into a whole new reality.
I pulled into my usual office parking spot with an unusual, aching sound caught in my throat. I felt paralyzed by the news, but somehow hurried inside anyway, my fingertips throbbing as I slammed the car door. Rebecca was already there, standing in the doorway, waiting to receive my sadness.
When I’d been introduced to Rebecca just a few weeks prior, I’d been wearing my first-day-of-work finest. Our shared love for showtunes had grown from a quiet, excited discussion to loud, harmonized renditions of all our favorite songs (with assigned parts, of course). Over a shared lunch of red pepper soup and tossed salad greens, we began brainstorming names for the baby she was expecting in the spring. But neither of us was expecting the news that would come sooner.
The 43-second phone call had sparked the need for a 5-hour trip—one Rebecca graciously offered to drive. As I sat in the passenger seat of my little blue car, I didn’t fully realize that God had given me the comfort I needed in the form of a person. But this was hardly the first time He’d come to comfort.
Exile had forced the Israelites to leave the life they loved, and without warning. I don’t know where they were when they found out, but I’ll bet the news left them dumbfounded, not knowing where to go or what to do with their grief. To whom could they take their heartache?
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of forced labor is over,
her iniquity has been pardoned,
and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”
– Isaiah 40:1-2
God was standing in the entryway of the Israelites’ new lives, offering the promise of comfort and an end to their suffering. They didn’t know it would come in the form of a person—much less a baby and ultimately, a cross—but it certainly would. “For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:5).
The best comfort in our grief comes not from answers to stand behind, but from those who will sit with us in our pain. The incarnation of Christ gives us both. The places His body were pierced on the cross created vessels for the Father’s comfort to flow to us. Because “it is finished,” we are comforted (John 19:30).
Praise the Lord for giving us a Person. “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
This post is perfectly timed. I mentor a young woman who is going through a very dark time. I too went through dark times as a teen too and did not worship God. BUT he was faithful. He was faithful to the door I opened in my heart when I was 10. He was faithful in protecting me in my personal whirlwind. I am taking comfort today that He is with my Little. The moment she was brought to the mental facility he was following her on eagle’s wings.
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Praying, sisters, for a reminder in his glorious light of a time for strength, not of fear, but of wonderful love.
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
My heart is opened up this morning by the I-you promises of chapter 41. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Do not fear, for I will help you. I have chosen you.
Thanks be to God.
When I am overwhelmed, I remember:
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.”
It does not remove the difficulty and sadness in life. It does not explain it all. It does not fully reveal
His plan. It shows that he is with us in the pain. He knows us intimately and leads us with compassion.
❤️!
Praise the Lord for giving us a Person. “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Absolutely praising Him for His forever comforting arms, love and grace…Amen. x
Sending love wrapped hugs to you all this amazing gift of a spring day..xxx
“For I am the Lord you God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ” This is one of my favorite scriptures and in the past I would repeat it to myself to help me over come fear. I am moved at just how comforting that passage was for me and how the Lord helped me overcome that fear. I feel so blessed that we server a God who comes and meets our needs-love our Lord!
I am particularly struck by the “have you not heard” language in the reading this week. We can make idols or feel like God isn’t with us, but that’s only when we get lost in ourselves instead of listening to the word. God is so much vaster than any idol could ever capture, so much more loving than we could ever imagine. Taking strength in this today!
I totally agree!! I was reminded of how crazy and ridiculous it is when I look to other things to satisfy, fulfill, comfort when God is the Everlasting One. I too love that language, it’s like God is saying wake up! Don’t you remember who I am? Won’t you rest in Him and receive all I have for you? Thanks for your words!
Rest in Me is what I meant :)
The “Have you not heard” repetition struck me too. Even when I know He is with me, I catch myself needing the reminder.
Isaiah 40:27-31 stood out to me this morning. I’ve asked/felt the same way; that I’m able to hide from God &/or I’m being ignored by God. It felt good to know that I wasn’t alone in this — that people of today aren’t alone in this feeling.
It bolstered my soul to read about our everlasting God who never grows weary, who has no limit to His understanding, who gives strength.
“Do you not know?” was asked, and I’m reminded that sometimes I can “know” something but not really “KNOW” it. (If that makes sense at all). May I, and all of us, come to KNOW that God is for us, that she will renew our strength and help us to soar.
Notes I took along my reading this morning: Renew strength, The First & The Last, Don’t be afraid, God calls & chooses, REJOICE, God does not forsake!, A Great Provider, Father of Mercies & God of all Comfort…all so true as He gently continues to “carry” me through this 3 year pancreatic cancer journey!! I can share & even shout it from the house top…God comforts, heals, encourages & provides for our every need!
Yes dear Churchmouse…I will “cry out” with you…”Jesus loves you..He want to carry our burdens and heal our diseases”
So beautiful to read my sisters’ comments and see the great compassionate hearts and love that flows through my SRT sisters…what a great ministry …..love you all & praying along with each one of you as we continue on this incredible & exciting journey together…IN HIM!
Have a blessed Tuesday y’all <
❤️❤️
All too often I’m so guilty of not sharing what Christ has done in my life because of not wanting to “step on toes” but I feel so encouraged by these words today! I am praying to be less timid and “cry out” with y’all!! Also praying with you in your cancer journey for strength and healing! Blessings!! :)