Sabbath, December 21 – Isaiah 40, Psalm 76

1. What are we called to prepare for the Lord? (Isaiah 40:3)

2. How long does the Word of our God stand? (Isaiah 40:8)

3. What promise is given to those who wait on the Lord? (Isaiah 40:31)

Commentary and Reflection:

Following the immediate threat of the Assyrian military, the Lord begins to send messages of comfort and encouragement to His people, starting in chapter 40. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary provides valuable insight into this chapter and the broader section of Isaiah it introduces:

“This chapter begins the third and last section of the book of Isaiah. For consideration of the so-called Deutero-Isaiah problem, see pp. 84–86. In many ways chs. 40–66 constitute the most important part of Isaiah’s prophecy. Chapters 1–35 consist largely of a series of denunciations against transgression and pronouncements of judgments to follow. In chs. 36–39 there is a recital of incidents connected with Sennacherib’s invasion, Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, and the visit of the Babylonian envoys. In the chapters that follow, the message of the prophet is entirely different in tone and theme. Pronouncements of judgment and doom are largely in the past, and the remainder of the book deals with promises of the outpouring of God’s grace upon the righteous. It is largely chs. 40–66 that have earned for Isaiah the name of “gospel prophet.” Here, in the most sublime language ever to grace the lips of an inspired orator, Isaiah sets forth the glorious future of Israel as God’s faithful “servant,” her deliverance from every foe, the coming of Messiah, and the establishment of the Messianic kingdom.” (SDABC, Isaiah 40:1).

The voice crying in the wilderness is a lonely voice, not a popular one. It calls for the preparation of the way for the Lord. When we prepare the way for the Lord, we recognize who He is and acknowledge that salvation comes from Him. Our role is to “prepare the way,” to “make straight,” and to “level” the path in anticipation of His promises being fulfilled. Individually and collectively, we must prepare our hearts for the Lord to work and carry out His plan in us.

The preparation is for the manifestation of the glory of God, culminating in the appearance of the Messiah. This prophecy is directly applied to the mission of John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus: “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight’” (Matthew 3:3, NKJV).

This prophecy also applies to the Holy Spirit’s work through God’s people as they prepare the way for the manifestation of God’s glory at the Second Coming of Christ.

The voice proclaims the final deliverance of God’s people at Christ’s return: “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:10–11, NKJV).

What a beautiful passage and promise! Isn’t it wonderful that the Word of God lives and stands forever?

Isaiah eloquently declares that the Lord is above all earthly things and even the mightiest nations, for He is the Creator. Even the greatest leaders in history—Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, Putin, or Xi Jinping—are nothing before Him: “He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless” (Isaiah 40:23, NKJV).

If you are tired of struggling, suffering, or tired of bad news—if the trials seem unending and your strength is failing—reflect on this promise: “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength… those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29–31, NKJV).

I have often prayed, repeating this promise, and I encourage you to do the same. As you claim it in prayer, the Lord will renew your strength.

Psalm 76 is a hymn of thanksgiving for the deliverance of Jerusalem from a great danger. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary says: Ps. 76 is an ode of thanksgiving for the deliverance of Jerusalem from great peril. The psalm was fittingly used to celebrate the occasions of the defeat of the Assyrian hosts under Sennacherib (see PK 361, 362; cf. GC 23). The psalmist looks beyond the scenes of immediate victory and sees in them the vindication of God’s justice, proving both the folly of man’s wrath and the wisdom of submitting to God. “Psalm 76 is an ode of thanksgiving for the deliverance of Jerusalem from some great peril. It was fittingly used to celebrate the defeat of the Assyrian hosts led by Sennacherib (see PK 266, 267; cf. GC 25, 26). The psalmist looks beyond the immediate victory to the triumph of divine justice, which demonstrates both the folly of human wrath and the wisdom of submission to God” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalm 76).

Prepare the way in your heart for the manifestation of the glory of the Lord. Wait on Him, and He will strengthen you.