Encouragement: Isaiah 40

I've loved this chapter for years. But finally reading it in context of the suffering and judgement of Judah I can't help realise how much I was missing. To be able to proclaim or believe such a message whilst knowing or already being in exile and captive to the Babylonians is already an astounding feat in itself.

Where it talks about, 'All men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field.' and how it's the word of God that will stand forever isn't simply addressed to them alone but also to their captors. A message that promises freedom from the powerful gasp of the Babylonians gives comfort to those that are trying to believe and begin to understand their all powerful God.

In the context of such suffering and desperation the end of this chapter is particularly challenging (25-31). It seems like God is questioning their thoughts and how stupid they are to try and compare him and think that he has forgotten about them because he isn't adhering to their plans. It basically says that if we have begun to comprehend the essence of God's character asking questions concerning why 'our plans' aren't coming to be is utterly flawed.

Yet for Judah God is gracious enough to reveal more of himself and point out such beautiful promises that are intrinsic to his character (29-31). And these words are the same for us as they were for them and we can know that in difficult times, although hard to hear or believe, we have this promise as one amongst many.