Christmas Wonderings

I'm crazy busy preparing messages for Christmas services so as I'm reading Isaiah 40 I have Christmas at the forefront of my mind. My reflections led me to a couple of observations. As I read verse 12 and following I was thinking of the contrast between God described so majestically and what it meant for God to come down - "merely" (but not really) to "comfort" his people. More about that in my Christmas day message. But the contrast arrested my imagination and I was startled with the realization of God's reduction. Wow! And then I was also wondering about that image at the beginning of the passage about making the path straight and making rough places plain, and the rest of that image. I'm wondering what that actually refers to. Why is it "in the desert"? And for exactly what reason are we called to smooth out the valleys etc.? Just caught myself wondering and wandering about that today.

Hey - I hope your Christmas preparations have been going well and that this reading of Isaiah 40 has helped you in those preparations. Peace and blessings to all of you. I'll post one more time on this passage and then we'll move on to other things. Any feedback for keeping this blog going?

Thanks for those of you who have offered some reflections and comments. Very helpful to hear perspectives as we live with the passage. Speaking of which, I'm getting to the point where there's a familiarity and anticipation of the passage that extends beyond reading into everyday life. Last night when I reflected on the days events I thought of the passage and was encouraged with the images of God that came to mind. In the worries I gained assurance that my God is really big. In the satisfaction of achievement I was reminded, "To what do you compare God? (vs. 18). It made me thankful that I actually can know God because he revealed himself through Scripture. That was encouraging because I tend to stay in the realm of critical thinking, always reflecting and challenging my own thoughts of faith. I was glad I could rest in the knowledge of God. Thanks again for the help through the comments that were made.

I find myself eager to read the first part of chapter 40 (1-11). It reveals my kind of God - a God of comfort and compassion (for the times I screw up), a God of promise (for the times I feel insecure), a God of power and strength (for the times I feel discouraged). Curiously I find myself suddenly bored with the passage after verse 12. I know what's coming, after having read it several times now. I can summarize it with a phrase: "God always wins." Maybe that sounds cynical to you (and it is) but I was surprised to read that exact sentiment expressed in verse 27 when Isaiah calls out the complaint of the people: "We think God's forgotten about us." I guess it's a fairly typical response to getting to know God. When he's there for us we are pleased. When it appears that he hasn't done anything for us lately, we easily turn sour with the complaint, "No fair, God, you always win." And I can imagine his response with a twinge of frustration, "You're right, I always win because it's my game." (vs. 28). And then I think Isaiah is right - we start to turn sour because we're recognizing our own weakness, "but those who trust the Lord will find new strength (vs.31)." Good thing it's God's game or I would be forever the loser.

Speaking vs. listening

Thanks everybody for checking out the blog, and for those of you who have carried the convertsation forward. I'm gathering you don't have to sign up to post a comment so go to it. I do like it when you become a follower so I know who's committing to the daily reading. If you've been reading through Isaiah 40, what's your take so far. Pretty cool passage eh?

Already when I was working on the passage for last Sunday's message I had been struck by how often there was a reference to speaking and the human voice in the first 11 verses. Vs. 2 says speak tenderly, vs. 3 says, "a voice is calling..."; vs. 6 a voice is urging someone to speak again, vs. 9 extols the one who makes the big declaration, "Here is your God!" The second half of the chapter is quite different. There's no announcement theme nor an invitation to speak. Rather, there's the sentiment that its time to sit and listen. Especially if you look at vs. 21 and vs. 28, which are a kind of refrain you get the feeling that if you are willing to slow down and reflect a little you'll have a better sense of what God is up to. Or conversely, if you are not willing to listen its unlikely you'll have anything to say but the complaint of vs. 27 - God doesn't hear us, boo-hoo!

Funny eh? That's what we're trying to do on this blog. Sit and listen with a daily reading of the passage, and then post your comments and speak your mind.

Reflections on Isaiah 40

Hi. Welcome to this blog. I'm hoping that this can be a venue to further some discussion on things we talk about at New Life Church. Currently this blog will be devoted to some reflection on Isaiah 40. The concluding message in the "State of the Heart" series at our weekend services focused on Isaiah 40. We talked about how we can't fix the brokenness of our hearts, but we can prepare our hearts to receive the Saviour.

Here's the plan:

1. Read through Isaiah 40 each day from now till Christmas. Do it once a day so that you get the feeling you are living with the passage. You'll be surprised what kinds of things stand out or impress you at different times.


2. Use this blog to participate in the reflections (by signing up on this blog). I'm going to post a reflection at least once a week, and I hope that you will comment with your own reflections.

My expectation is that with this excercise we'll prepare our hearts with a greater sense of expectation for a Saviour, and with a more solid assurance that God will save us from all our brokenness. May you persevere with faith, hope, and love this Christmas season!