Prophecy – Isaiah 40-44

We continue reading the Word of God to Prophet Isaiah.

Bible Passage: Isaiah 40-44

He starts off with a Word of comfort to God’s people and reminds them that there is no one like God.

The idols that many of the chosen people had turned to were ridiculed by God and God reminded them all that it is He who gives power to the weak, sustains them and saves them.

And when you read today’s passage, I actually found many references to hymn or songs that we often sing.

But before that, I love this picture of our God in Isaiah 40:10-11

“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand,
And His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.”

I see 2 arms of God here.

The first arm (I picture this as His right arm) – is a strong arm (Is 40:10).  His second (the left naturally) is ths tender one (40:11).

I was listening to an audio today about what people what in their parents.  They said that they want someone who is warm and gentle, understanding and cares for them.  At the same time, they wanted that person to be strong and take them under their control to prevent them from acting wrongly.

This pretty much sounds like God described here doesn’t it?

God’s strong arm rules like a powerful king – able to protect and defend His people from not only the worldly enemies – but more importantly the spiritual enemy and the bondage of sin.

Yet, God displays tender sensitivity.  He is the Good Shepherd (hmm… didn’t we read about this at least twice in the last few days?) who faithfully feeds His flock and leads them beside still waters.  He watches over the weak, the innocent and vulnerable.

This is our God that we believe in – a God of power and comfort.  Oh how we need Him today.

Familiar Hymns or Songs?

Ok… as you were reading today’s passage, did a few hymns or songs come to mind?

Let’s try now.

Isaiah 40:3

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“ Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.

What hymn comes to mind?

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Hymn 158 – Walking in the King’s Highway

Ok… how about Isaiah 40:30-31?  There are many songs that I can think of but this Mandarin song came to mind (just don’t ask me to sing it 🙂 )

How about when you read Isaiah 43:2… what hymn comes to mind?

Quite an interesting instrument isn’t it. That’s right… that’s Hymn 442 God Leads Us Along.

One last one… Isaiah 43:18 “…. I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert”.

It is somewhere in the middle of this song…