The Comfort of God

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:1-5 ESV).

Charles Shultz produced one of the most endearing cartoons ever published when he developed “Peanuts.” Each character has a special place in the hearts of the readers. Three of my favorites are seen in the picture today, Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock. I’m not sure of the context of this cartoon, though I’m sure some calamitous circumstance was involved as each of them took comfort in Linus’ blanket. I have often thought that I wished a blanket were enough to bring me comfort. So far, 2020 is turning out to be one of those times for many of us. These are difficult times. Thousands of people infected with a deadly virus, many of those not surviving. Millions of people have found themselves jobless with little or no income to purchase even the basics of life. Our government seems to be as impotent as many feared it was with political gridlock and finger-pointing designed to score points for a coming election instead of providing consistent leadership across party agendas. Our home lives have been upended as people who still have a job are forced to work from home. Schools are closed forcing the transition to a lifestyle vastly different than any imagined. To simply say it is uncomfortable is naiveté at its height! We may be asking, “Who will comfort us?” Thank God that there is good news in Isaiah’s song in our reading today. God himself says, “Comfort, comfort my people… speak tenderly…” (v. 1). God is not offering a blanket. He offers Himself. When we need comfort, we must remember, first, that God is the Sovereign Lord. He will meet us in every situation with his strength and power. This is because our heavenly Father is a loving, compassionate God. No matter what adversities you may be going through today, you can take comfort. Like a shepherd with his sheep, God carries us close to his heart. Remember Jesus’ parting words: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God doesn’t give us some inanimate object for warmth and comfort. He gives Himself. There is nothing better than that. Curl up in His arms today. Find your peace in Him!