I revel in Isaiah 40:
"Comfort, oh comfort my people," says our God. "Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of--she is REDEEMED! She's been punished enough and more than enough, and now it's over and done with."
Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God. Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks. Then God's bright glory will shine, shine, shine and everyone will see it. The LORD has spoken."
A voice says, "Shout!"
I said, "What shall I shout?"
"PEOPLE ARE NOTHING BUT GRASS, THEIR LOVE AS FRAGILE AS WILDFLOWERS! The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, under the Lord's breath. True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God's Word stands firm and forever. I'm sorry, did you not hear me? OUR GOD'S WORD STANDS FOREVER."
Climb a high mountain, Zion. You're the preacher of good news. Raise your voice. Say it good and loud, Jerusalem. Don't be timid! Tell the cities of Judah, "Look! Your God!" Look. At. Him. Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power, ready to go into action. He is going to pay back his enemies and reward those who have loved him. Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.
Who else held the oceans in his hands? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and hills? That's right. NO ONE.
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? If we think we can advise the Holy Spirit, we have inverted our relationship with God.
No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. We are mere emptiness and froth. That stuff that washes up on beaches, disappearing into nothing.
So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare him? Some no-god idol? Ridiculous! Do you want a "god" that can't even stand up on it's own?
Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Have you listened but not truly heard? Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things? God sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies like a canvas-yes, like a tent canvas to live under. He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing. Princes and rulers don't amount to much.
"To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One.
Look up to heavens. Who created all the stars? Who brings them out one by one, calling each by name and counting them carefully to be sure none have strayed?
O Israel! O Charleston! O Church, brotherhood of believers! How can you say that the Lord doesn't see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? God is rolling his eyes at your ignorance. Haven't you heard? Don't you understand? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He doesn't grow faint. He never becomes weary. No one can measure the depth of his understanding.
He gives power to the tired and worn out, the burnt out. He offers his matchless strength to the weakest of men. Even youth and college students become exhausted beyond the assistance of espresso. Even young men give up. But those who wait upon the Lord and delight in him will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles, running and never growing weary. They will walk the narrow path with enduring energy.
So get excited!
