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Daily Devotion: Isaiah 40:1-2

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Isaiah 40:1-2     "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.  (2)  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins."

"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished."  As I read these words, I think back to when the Lord first showed Isaiah that glorious vision of Himself. The Lord told Isaiah, "Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not." (Isaiah 6:9)  I'm not sure they understood as Isaiah spoke these words concerning comfort to the people. At the moment, the nation was not in warfare. God had turned the Babylonian army back to their own land. Surely there was comfort in those words, but I also find comfort as I read these words today. I pray you will find comfort also.

The Bible describes us as "pilgrims and strangers" wandering through this world. Everyday is a struggle in some way. The biggest struggle that I have is within my own mind. Our minds are our biggest battleground and we do not always recognize that fact. God's Word is inspired to give us comfort as we find instruction, direction, and yes, even correction for our lives. "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished."  We fight skirmishes each day, but the war has already been won. Our "... iniquity is pardoned."  That pardon was not simply a spoken pardon that let us go free without any recompense. No, that pardon was of great cost: the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. My sin brought my guilt. His death bought my pardon. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)  "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably..."  Your warfare is accomplished for all eternity and His grace is sufficient for every daily struggle that we must face. I pray we can find comfort in those words.

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