Isaiah

Isaiah 40: God’s lasting word comforts the weak

Begin in prayer

Before we hear God speak comfort and call the weak to wait for Him, let us look to Him in prayer. Ask Him to show our family His greatness and lead us to the Shepherd who saves sinners.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.

Psalm 147:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us trust Your lasting Word when our strength fails. Show us Jesus, the mighty Shepherd, and bring us to rest in His mercy. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God announces comfort to Jerusalem because her warfare is finished and her guilt is pardoned after the full measure of His judgment. A voice calls for a level way through the wilderness, where the LORD’s glory will be revealed for all to see. People fade like grass, while God’s word stands forever. Good news calls Judah to behold her God, coming with power and carrying His lambs like a shepherd. No counselor instructs Him, no offering from Lebanon can match His greatness, and nations are like a drop or dust before Him. Handmade idols need craftsmen, while God spreads the heavens, brings rulers to nothing and calls every star by name. He answers Israel’s complaint of being overlooked by promising renewed strength to those who wait for the Creator who never grows weary.

As you read Isaiah 40, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God comforts His people with His lasting word and gives strength as their incomparable Creator and Shepherd.

The comfort follows the announcement that Judah’s treasures and royal descendants will be taken to Babylon. God now speaks pardon and the end of Jerusalem’s appointed trouble. The level highway pictures a way prepared for His coming and the revealing of His glory. Matthew says John the Baptist was this voice (Matthew 3 verse 3). The voice prepares “the way of Yahweh”, and the One who came after John was Jesus, so Jesus is the LORD Himself. Human glory fades like a field flower, so hope must rest on the word God keeps forever. The mighty Lord also gathers lambs in His arm and gently leads those with young. His wisdom needs no teacher, and His power makes nations, rulers and handmade images helpless to rival Him. The One who names the stars has not forgotten His people and gives the weak strength to keep waiting for Him.

How does Isaiah 40 show us that God comforts His people with His lasting word and gives strength as their incomparable Creator and Shepherd?

God’s comfort rests on His enduring word.

Jerusalem hears that her guilt is pardoned and her warfare finished. People and their glory wither like grass and flowers. The word of God remains, giving a sure foundation for the comfort He announces.

The mighty God cares for His flock.

His arm rules with power and also gathers lambs close to Him. The same Shepherd carries the weak and leads those tending their young. His tenderness belongs with the greatness that no image or earthly ruler can equal.

The Creator has not overlooked His people.

Israel complains that God disregards its way and its need for justice. The Maker of the earth does not faint or grow weary. He gives strength to those who wait for Him, so they will run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

Memorise

The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I know Jesus as my Shepherd?

A voice calls, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!” John the Baptist was that voice, and the One he prepared for was Jesus. So the good news, “Behold, your God!” points to Jesus, the mighty Lord who shepherds His flock.

Jesus laid down His life for His sheep and rose again, as He promised (John 10 verses 15 to 18). He suffered God’s judgment in their place at the cross. His resurrection declares a rescue completed, and His sacrifice is enough for every believer’s forgiveness. The Shepherd saves the weak who cannot save themselves.

Turn from your sin and trust Jesus, the Shepherd who gathers the weak. His pardon is for all who believe in Him. Bring your weakness before the Savior whose Word will outlast every fading human strength. The Lord who gathers His lambs is worthy of your patient trust.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God comforts His people, and that Jesus is the Shepherd who gathers all who come to Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His Word lasts forever and His mighty care strengthens weak people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”

Matthew 3:3

Mighty Shepherd, thank You for Your lasting Word and Your tender care. Please lead us to Jesus for forgiveness and teach us to wait for You. Strengthen the weary people in our home and help us encourage them with Your promises. Keep our family looking to You throughout this week. Amen.