Isaiah 40:1-17

“‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1, NKJV)

The book of Isaiah has been compared to the entire Bible. The Bible has 66 books, and Isaiah has 66 chapters. The Old Testament has 39 books; the first 39 chapters of Isaiah deal with judgment, and they anticipate the birth of Christ. The New Testament has 27 books; the last 27 books of Isaiah deal with restoration, and they anticipate the sufferings of Christ and His glorious return. Therefore, Isaiah has been called a miniature Bible.

It is interesting that the first verse of the last 27 chapters of Isaiah begins with the words, “Comfort My people.” Isn’t that the primary purpose of the New Covenant? Whereas the Law brought condemnation, the grace and truth of Jesus Christ bring comfort (John 1:17). I find that people need this comfort. We all know that we fall short of being what we should be. The Law points out our many faults, but grace points to the cross where the price was paid for all our sins. Christ brings comfort to all who receive Him.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV)

Our heavenly Father is the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we may comfort others who are in any kind of trouble with the same comfort that we have received. God comforts us through our faith in Jesus Christ, through the Scriptures, and through the Holy Spirit who is called the Comforter.

Whatever trial you are going through, God will comfort you if you trust in Him. Whatever sin you have committed, God will forgive, cleanse and comfort you, if you come to Christ confessing your sin.

H.A. Ironside wrote:

“What greater privilege can we have on earth than to enjoy the abiding presence of the ‘God of all comfort’ as we face the perplexities and bitter disappointments that we are called on to endure?”