Gracious and loving God, bring Your favor upon this dear reader; in Jesus' name, amen.
Sermon two of the Unwrapped Series was yesterday and the gift we unwrapped was God's Gift of Forgiveness, based on Mark 1:1-18. We continue to study the theme of forgiveness in the reading of other passages this week. Today, let us find Isaiah 40:1-11 and let's see what God is up to in that passage. If you do not have your Bible handy, please look below the devotional for a copy of the passage.
Sermon two of the Unwrapped Series was yesterday and the gift we unwrapped was God's Gift of Forgiveness, based on Mark 1:1-18. We continue to study the theme of forgiveness in the reading of other passages this week. Today, let us find Isaiah 40:1-11 and let's see what God is up to in that passage. If you do not have your Bible handy, please look below the devotional for a copy of the passage.
As we talked about sin yesterday, we realized that sin is a heavy weight to carry. To have that burden lifted is God's job and when God does lift it, it is incredible to walk forward toward Him and know we are no longer alone, no longer burdened with the weight of that which we have said, thought or done, that hurt God or God's creatures and creation. In Isaiah, the prophet says that "Jerusalem...has served her term,...her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins." This is then followed by the prophetic reference to John the Baptist who would prepare the way of the LORD Jesus Christ. We know that in Christ everything was made level, everything was squared away.
The passage concludes with the loving image of a shepherd caring for his flock; lovingly gathering them and carrying them in his bosom. We would think the opposite would be true. We are aware of the consequences and penalty of sin, and that is death; but Christ came that we might have life and that to the fullest as He said in John 10:10.
The passage concludes with the loving image of a shepherd caring for his flock; lovingly gathering them and carrying them in his bosom. We would think the opposite would be true. We are aware of the consequences and penalty of sin, and that is death; but Christ came that we might have life and that to the fullest as He said in John 10:10.
What's keeping you from life's fullness? God invites you to confess and turn away from your sins. Invite the Lord into your heart and begin to feel release from that which has kept you down for so long. Enter into a relationship with God today!
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I have done, said and thought more than my share of things that were not to Your honor or glory. I confess I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and with Your help I will turn away from them, turn them over to You and walk after You into the fullness of life. I pray this prayer of faith in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Isaiah 40: 1-11 speaks of God's care for us. Please find and read that passage and see what God wants to offer you.
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1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Isaiah 40: 1-11 speaks of God's care for us. Please find and read that passage and see what God wants to offer you.
