The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. Isaiah 1:3.

If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Our chapter, Isaiah 40, begins with words of comfort because it would be 150 years before a named Persian king, Cyrus, would fulfill what was written in chapters 40-55. And our chapter speaks of John the Baptist, and of the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the Holy One…who speaks to us when we humble ourselves and listen. Not by our righteousness because we have none, but by His righteousness will all of His promises be kept. Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. v. 1-2. God comforts. By listening to His voice we find comfort and help. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” v. 3-5. We humans can’t raise up valleys or make mountains or hills low and we have no glory. We have confusion and strife within and without. Compared to Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit…All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. v. 6-8. He asks the same questions He asked Job when Job demanded answers – and remember Job was faithful! Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding? v. 12-14. Wisdom, knowledge, understanding does not exist because of us. We make idols, copies of what we see that we did not create…and call them God, v. 18-20. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. v. 28-31.

Do you look to humans to save you? Do you trust yourself to save you? Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. v. 21-24. When will we stop trusting in flawed, broken human beings and in ourselves who are broken and flawed? That way leads to confusion and death. Remember God promises…And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. See the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and He rules with a mighty arm. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. v. 5, 10-11. That’s whose promises I trust! Thank You, Lord, for so great a Love!