Day 1: The Promise of God's Voice
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. 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.” - Isaiah 40:1-5
Devotional:
If you’ve been a person of faith for any amount of time I’m guessing that you’ve experienced a season where you were desperate to hear from God but heaven was seemingly silent. A couple years ago our plans for Easter Jam were thrown in a spiral by impending weather that we were struggling to plan for. I began praying fervently for God to change the weather for us (selfish, I know!) and I heard no response… and the rain didn’t shift course one inch! At some point the morning of the event I was racing down McFarland BLVD having a very frustrated conversation with God about our preparation, our faithfulness, the weather, the work of my staff, and the general notion that I felt like He was ignoring our hard work! I was convinced the rain would keep people away and generally ruin the day. Which is exactly what DIDN’T happen! In fact, we had record attendance, our volunteers were praised by the crowd for going above and beyond to help people out of the rain, kids heard the gospel, easter eggs were hunted, and it’s still my favorite Easter Jam to date!
The people of Israel had been waiting a long time for God to speak again, feeling the weight of His silence. But here, in Isaiah, we see the promise of God’s voice breaking through the quiet, offering comfort and hope. This message reminds us that even when God seems silent, He is still working, still preparing a way forward. The promise of redemption was not just for Israel but for all of us who long for God’s presence in our lives. In Jesus, this promise comes alive, showing us that God’s words are always words of life, love, and hope.
Reflection Questions:
When have you experienced a time of waiting for God’s voice?
How does this promise of comfort and redemption speak to you today?
Prayer Prompt:
Pray for an open heart to receive God’s comfort and to trust His promise, even in seasons of waiting.