The title of today's message is “God is Awesome in Comfort.” In Isaiah 40 there is a marked change in tone. For the people of God, living in Judah, in Jerusalem there was great relief. Through King Hezekiah's prayers, God had warded off the north easterly threat of King Sennacherib and his dreadful Assyrian war machine. Through his prayers, God had delivered Hezekiah from certain death, granted him healing, and added 15 years to his life.
But not everything is as wonderful as it seems. God had delivered Judah from the Assyrians, but Hezekiah makes an egregious error. He invites envoys from Babylon (a nation more dreadful than Assyria) to tour the city of God. Isaiah 39:2 says, “Hezekiah . . . showed the envoys his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil—and all his armory, and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his palace and in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.”
We see this sort of behavior all around us. We love to boast in our wealth. Don't you agree? Wealth gives us a sense of security and comfort. In life I've observed how such boasting often makes you a target. That gold chain. That mansion on the hill. That luxury car. Think of all the indulgences wealth affords you. By showing off his wealth, Hezekiah has whistled to the nations, and made Judah an imminent target of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian war machine! He’s traded one threat for another threat! You’re better off to be like Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart and Sam's Club, billionaire extraordinaire. He'd wear plain clothes and drive an old pickup to visit his stores. Refusing to make himself a target.
In Isaiah 39:6-7, Isaiah the prophet warns Hezekiah, “‘Look, the days are coming when everything in your palace and all that your predecessors have stored up until today will be carried off to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 7 ‘Some of your descendants—who come from you, whom you father—will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” How would you respond if God told you because of your folly, your children and grandchildren would be hauled off and made Eunuchs in a distant land? In Isaiah 39:8, Hezekiah [says] to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good,” for he thought: There will be peace and security during my lifetime.”
That sounds completely demented to me! Hezekiah was happy at the thought that he'd have peace and security in his lifetime… and seems unconcerned about the threats and dangers awaiting his children and grandchildren. “Phew, well at least I'll be okay.” Is that how we should feel about what awaits the next generations? “So long as I’ve got my personal peace and security.” Talk about false, self-centered comfort!
So, while smug Hezekiah relishes in the false comfort, of his own personal peace and affluence…starting in Isaiah 40 and running all the way through Isaiah 66, Isaiah declares with unmatched eloquence, the one true hope and one true comfort, future generations could find in God alone. There is a lot in Isaiah to consider. I don't think our promise to future generations is that life is going to all rosy, peachy, easy breezy. Our message isn't to promise they will enjoy all the peace, affluence, security, or opulent lifestyle we their fathers and grandfathers have enjoyed. Our message is that no matter what dark cloud descends upon this nation—true hope and comfort is to be found in God alone… and here is what true hope is… and here is what finding true comfort trusting God looks like...
In John 16, Jesus warns his disciples about the kind of grief, the kind of hell that awaits them in their immediate future. The son of man is about to be betrayed, crucified, and buried. You will be put out of your homes and synagogues. For a time people will try to kill you, thinking they’re doing some great service to God. You will be dragged to courts, authorities, be persecuted, be subject to profound grief. You cannot bear hearing all that is to come. But though there will be a time you’ll see me no more… take heart… after a little while you will see me. In the short term you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. But your grief will turn to joy. John 16:22, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:33-33, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As Christians, we need to be sober-minded and truthful about the present while being sober-minded and hopeful about the future. Though the devil himself may visit you. Though all hell may break loose. Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonians. Persecution. Hardship. … Take heart! God’s got you. Jesus said, “It’s going to be bad… but take heart I've overcome the world.” This is Isaiah’s message to the children of Judah starting in Isaiah 40! The joy and comfort of God will eclipse your grief, sorrow, and terror.
I think a lot of Christian pop culture is doing a grave disservice to future generations. Our gospel isn't that everything is going to always work out in this life. Our gospel isn't that you'll live the American Dream, that you will have financial peace, personal security, affluence, that you'll have all you hope for—the home, the job, the marriage, the children, the health, the success, the name…
Every generation wants these for the next generation. Of course. But true hope and comfort can only be found in God. Well what kind of comfort? If you’ve ever wondered how you can give true hope to future generations, turn to Isa 40.
Isaiah speaks of the Comfort of True Forgiveness. Isaiah 40:1-2, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Do you know what young people need to hear? Child, you don't have to pay a double portion for your sins, for all your shame and guilt. Take comfort. God has paid for all your sins. God will bring comfort of true forgiveness.
Isaiah speaks of the Comfort of God's presence. Isaiah 40:3-5, “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Children of Judah… the God of the Universe, the Lord of Glory, is coming to reveal Himself. Buckle up. Prepare yourself. You are about to see him face to face. What did Jesus say to his disciples—you will grieve my absence, but you will have an everlasting joy of seeing me again. I am coming. The coming of Jesus was the comfort of all Israel, it was the comfort of all followers of Christ, and it’s just as much the comfort of the world as the believer. When all hope seems lost, God will appear in our midst.
Isaiah speaks of the Comfort of God's Word. Isaiah 40:6-8, “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
He speaks of the Comfort of God's Power. Isaiah 40:9-11, “Do not fear [do not be troubled]… See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” The Lord Himself will be your shepherd. He will lead you and guide you in paths of life.
He speaks of the Comfort of God's Victory. Isaiah 40:22-24, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes [including the prince of peace] to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.” If you want a summation of Isaiah Chapters 1-39 it’s this: The Spirit and Breath of the Living God can topple our most dreadful enemies... the most dreadful rulers, princes, nations, armies of the earth… all of them mere grasshoppers, swept away like chaff, uprooted like weeds.
He speaks of the Comfort of God's Strength. Isaiah 40:28-31, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
He speaks of the Comfort of God's Salvation. Isaiah 41:8-14, “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 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. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 43:1-3, “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”
What is the true hope and comfort of future generations? It's not what; it’s who! God Himself, the Holy One of Israel will be our God and Savior. Our hope isn't avoiding storms… it’s God carrying us through the storms. God is Awesome in Comfort! He gives his forgiveness and grace, his shepherding presence, his guiding word, his victorious power, personal strengthening, ultimate victory, complete salvation.