Finding Comfort Sample

God’s Got You

Isaiah 40:9-11

"You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 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."

Let me ask you a question. Who is more likely to be successful in protecting you? A 6’5” special forces Navy Seal or a 12-year-old grade schooler? I know. Sounds like a stupid question, but the principle is actually what Isaiah is getting at in this passage.

He wants you to know that there is no one greater than your God. He is “the Sovereign Lord who comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.” Implication? Every other power is like that 12-year-old grade schooler.

Sovereign means “possessing supreme or ultimate power.” No one is more powerful. No one and nothing. God is not just a “supreme” ruler. He is the supreme power.

That’s why Isaiah goes on to say that He “comes with power and he rules with a mighty arm.” And it is because of that sovereign power, that when He decides to reward or care for someone, nothing can stop Him. Nothing!

What does that “reward” look like? That’s the second part of the passage.

“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.”

What a beautiful picture. First, think about the picture Isaiah paints of how the shepherd cares for the lambs… the baby sheep. Wobbly on their feet. Unable to navigate rough terrain. Vulnerable to the attack of the wolf. What does the shepherd do? He picks them up and carries them through that terrain, placing them in the safest possible place. Next to his heart.

Second, think about the picture of the shepherd caring for the nursing mom (which is the sense of “those that have young”). He’s protecting her baby and mindful of the challenge she has keeping up with the flock and caring for her lamb. He is gentle with her. Leading her.

The point? God understands your vulnerability. He sympathizes with the weak and vulnerable and is there to protect and guide them through the rough terrain they’re navigating.  

It really is a beautiful expression of His unending and infinite love. For you.

God knows that in your suffering you are emotionally and spiritually vulnerable. In fact, He’s acutely aware of your vulnerability. And He’s tending to you and your situation in this very moment. Right now, He sees you, loves you, and has you in His all-powerful arms, drawing you close to His heart. And He is, in fact, gently leading you through whatever you are facing.

The reason you can find comfort in that is this powerful truth: He is the Sovereign power of the universe. You can rest in His care for you because there is nothing and no one who can stop Him.

Take a few minutes right now to lean on that power and meditate on the truth that God has you!