The opening verse of this chapter is for saints who feel forgotten and unnoticed. Hold on in hope to God’s promises even when the Lord seems far away. Persevere in prayer even when His responses seem delayed. The Lord loves us, His people, and whether we see immediate evidence for it or not, He is actively caring for His little flock. Be sure, His ‘hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear’. When the Lord tarries There is no lack of power in God to do what He has said. Our Lord is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. There is wisdom in God’s scheduling and there is goodness in His method even if we cannot see the…

In chapter 40 the Lord instructed Isaiah to comfort His remnant people by reassuring them that the Messiah would come and Immanuel would be born into the world. Harsh times of conquest and exile were yet to afflict Jerusalem and the Jews, nevertheless the coming Christ would deliver God’s promised salvation. As we have seen, the faithful prophet fulfilled his task by consistently pointing forward to the Messiah. He wrote of the suffering which Christ would endure and the success He would enjoy. Believers are always comforted when they see Jesus. The sins of God’s people Now, however, the Lord God has an additional message for His prophet-preacher. Isaiah must declare loudly and strongly the transgressions of God’s people and show the house of Jacob…