Sermon Snippet – God’s Comfort in Our Deepest Distress
INTRODUCTION – The background of Isaiah 51 is the Babylonian captivity of Israel, an event a century in the future when the prophet wrote these words. Exile in an antagonistic foreign land – I can imagine few things worse. Yet, in the midst of this extraordinary hardship, the promise of God is His comfort, personal and powerful.
1. OUR LORD’S COMFORT TRANSPORTS US FROM THE WASTE PLACES TO THE LORD’S GARDEN
Verse 3 is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah (verses 1-2 and Genesis 12:1-3). Even if we were not direct participants in this covenant, we would be blessed to see others blessed, and we would learn more of the character of God. However, the prophesied blessing to this couple does include us, for the Messiah of all mankind must be born of the people of Israel and in the land of Israel, specifically in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). All of the history of Abraham’s nation, from its humble beginnings to its rescue from slavery in Egypt (verses 9-10 – “Rahab” is Egypt) to its return from captivity in Babylon brings us to the comfort of the birth of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. We can testify of how He has lifted us from the “wilderness,” from our own “waste places,” to instead inhabit “the garden of the LORD.” We enjoy good things, knowing that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). We are filled with comfort that manifests itself in “thanksgiving, and the voice of melody,” and we are assured of a future “Eden” called heaven. Our Savior picked us up in His hands right where we were and has placed us close to Himself, in His “garden.”
2. OUR LORD’S COMFORT TRANSMOGRIFIES OUR FEAR INTO CONFIDENCE
Verses 11-12 speak poetically of the unlimited power of God in contrast to the limited power of men. Yes, evil men live amongst us, do vile things, and often veil their nefarious motives: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:13-15). We have legitimate concerns, of course. What Paul wrote to timid Timothy is written to all believers in Jesus Christ: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [self-control]” (II Timothy 1:7). Panic comes from Satan and his misanthropic minions of mendacity. Do not let this terror take control; we have the resources of God Himself. We should note the joining of “power” and “love”; love is stronger than hate, as best and ultimately demonstrated at the Cross of Christ. Better than being scared is “singing unto Zion.”
3. OUR LORD’S COMFORT TRANSMUTES OUR HOPELESSNESS BY HIS JUSTICE
When reading a verse, we must consider the context. For example, if we studied just verse 19, we would think that there is no hope, that our sense of hopelessness is justified. However, when we read the verses following, a fuller picture emerges. We find that God will remove His righteous judgment, that He will instead provide deliverance if we trust in Him. He is “thy God that pleadeth the cause of His people” (verse 22). The nature of God is to take our side, to labor on our behalf. The New Testament refers to God the Son as our “advocate” (I John 2:1), and the same Greek word is translated “Comforter” regarding God the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-11). We thus see, as we would reasonably and logically expect, that our Triune God is in perfect accord in standing alongside us and pleading our case. We are declared not guilty, and we will not be tried “again” (verse 22). There is no greater comfort.
CONCLUSION – Our Savior God offers to transform us through His salvation (verse 5). He confirms that this deliverance is indeed eternal (verse 6). Trust in Jesus today for this salvation. Together, as His people, let us be comforted by His words and works, by His power and presence.