COMFORT AND PROMISES 

God's prophets usually have these three things to offer:-

1. A message for the prophet’s own time
2. A message of coming events
3. A message for today, eternal principles of right and wrong.

Let us study God’s word through Prophet Isaiah, and see what "comfort and promises" God has for us:

In Vs.8: "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,"…..

God is assuring Israel of His help. Israel has been chosen by God. He has chosen them because they are the descendants of Abraham, who was God’s friend.

Vs. 9 says: "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant", I have chosen you and have not rejected you"…..

The descendants of Abraham were to be God’s instrument of divine revelation, a witness to the nations and lineage of the Messiah. This can be seen in Isaiah Ch.43 Vs.10:

The message for us today is that God has taken many of us from the ends of the earth. Most of us in church this evening at some point in time have come from another country. God has a beautiful plan for each and every one of us. He plants us, in specific places, so that His wonderful purpose may be accomplished. He has chosen each and every one of us to be His children. We can all feel so privileged to be a totally accepted Child of God.

Verse 10 - is a very famous verse in the Bible. "Comfort and promises" in these verses are at their zenith. What a wonderful verse this is! Whenever we are depressed, troubled, worried, in pain or difficulty, we should engrave this verse in our hearts and minds:

This verse is an assurance of God’s help. We may leave Him, but he will never leave us.

Verse 11 says: "All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish"…..

This fallen world is full of people who show anger and contempt towards us, but they will be embarrassed and people will ultimately lose respect for them, and their judgements. There are times when we are disgraced, but we HAVE to look up to God, and He will rescue us from our persecutors. The hardest thing to do during such circumstances is to carry on being a good Christian, and to pray for our enemies.

If we can pray this prayer, with all our hearts and minds, the peace we will feel, will indeed be a peace beyond human understanding. God's promise is recorded in Romans 12 : 17-21 :

WOW! What a revolutionary statement! God’s ways are certainly not our sinful ways. But what joy and peace there is for us when we follow His ways! When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, often we notice that we have already forgiven, by the time vengeance come.

In Verse 12: "Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all".

Psalm 37 particulary vv 9-11 is a wonderful affirmation of this verse: 9."For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land" 10. "A little while,and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found." 11."But the meek will inherit the land and enjoyed great peace".

There are so many affirmations of God’s promises and comfort to be found in His word. We WILL enjoy peace.

Isaiah 41 Verse 13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you".

Why do we worry and fret when we have such a wonderful God looking after us? He is saying again and again: "Don’t be afraid, don’t worry, I will help you, just trust me".

In Verse 14 - Israel is called a worm. Now a worm is a symbol of weakness. Worms are long thin creatures, with no bones or limbs. They live in darkness. They can inhabit the bodies of people and animals, causing sickness. "A worm" used as a form of address is a person who is not respected, because he or she is considered to be morally weak or dishonest. Yes, at times, although we don ‘t like to admit it, we have all exhibited a worm like nature. But our Redeemer is God, the Holy One of Israel. Our Loving Lord Jesus, has redeemed us by His sacrifice. We can be in God’s Holy presence because of Jesus.

Verses 15 and 16 contain many powerful images: .."I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp"…..

The following extract is taken from "Streams in the Dessert" by L.B.Cowman:

"The sharper the Craftsman’s knives, the finer and more beautiful His work". God will make us very powerful (another promise) like a "threshing sledge".

Another promise, our problems will be "gone with the wind, carried away like chaff". And we will rejoice in the Lord. We ought not to worry about our enemies, or our problems, because God has a solution.

Verse 17 "The Lord’s eyes are upon the poor and needy, the helpless, the down-trodden".

Do you know of a widow, or a woman without a husband, who is in need? Do you know of a child or children, who do not have a mother or father? Do you know someone whose heart is heavy, because of the many problems in their life? Listen ton God’s voice telling you, to spend time with them. Help in any way you can. Our Loving God, who is never a debtor will honor that help.

In Verse 18, the promises continue. The Lord will provide His blessings, in impossible places. There will be rivers on high plateaus, and they will flow across high parched ground. There will be fountains in the valleys and pools of water in the desert!

Even though: "I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" ...God will: "Make me lie down in green pastures, and lead me beside quiet waters"…. Psalm 23

Promises! Promises! Promises! We will be revived and renewed, despite our dry, desert, wilderness experiences.

In Verse 19, once again the Lord promises things: "I will put in the desert, the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,"…..

We cannot find most of these trees in the deserts of the world. Yet God is going to put them there. With God all things are possible. Let us consider, for a moment, the uses and symbolism behind these trees.

The cedar is a strong and mighty tree, straight and erect. It was used in the building of Solomon’s magnificent temple. It’s wood is hard, red and sweet smelling.

The acacia is to be found in the deserts of Africa. It’s white and yellow flowers contain a sap, that can be used as a moisturizer and glue.

Myrtle is a bush with shiny leaves, and sweet smelling flowers.

Olives from the Olive tree are used for food, oil, moisturizer and the wood is used in the making of many beautiful things.

The pine tree has thin sharp leaves throughout the year. The seeds in it’s cones are food for birds and small animals. Many scented objects are made from pine. And it’s pale soft wood, is used in making furniture and floors.

The fir tree also has leaves like needles that stay on throughout the year.

Then cypress is another cone bearing tree, with hard wood and dark foliage. These majestic trees are often to be found planted in cemeteries, providing shade and peace.

All these trees have a myriad use. We can liken ourselves to these trees. Let us lead useful lives, explore and expand our talents! God will make us fruitful in a desert place. He will do the impossible! These beautiful verses are a testimony for God’s people. What WON’T He do for those who love Him !

Verse 20 Promises and Comfort. Promises and Comfort. ….. "So that people see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it"

PRAISE YOU JESUS.