1. God our Comfort Isaiah 40

2. Author Isaiah = Yahweh is Salvation

3. Judahs Salvation from her enemies Judahs Salvation from Babylon The Jews Salvation in the Kingdom The sinners Salvation from sin

4. Key Names

5. Yahweh 423 Covenant Relationship Elohim 103 Supreme over idols Adonai 52 Lord over creation Yahweh Sabaoth 52 Sovereign over heavenly powers Holy One of Israel 25 Perfection, Greatness, Nearness

6. United Monarchy David/Solomon 1011-931 B.C. 931 B.C. Northern Kingdom of Israel 722 B.C. Southern Kingdom of Judah 586 B.C. To Assyria To Babylon 70 years Isaiah 739-681 History

7. Isaiah Divisions RetributionRestoration Assyria History 739~701 B.C 1-12 Judah/Jerusalem 13-35 The Nations 36~39 Hezekiah Babylon Future 40~48 Cyrus 49~57 Christ 58~66 Israel 1~3940~66

8. Isaiah 40 Divisions 1-11 Compassion 12-26Comparison 27-31Comfort

9. Isaiah 40:1-11 Divisions 1-2 A Voice of Pardon 3-5 A Voice of Preparation 6-8 A Voice of Promise 9-11 A Voice of Presence

10. 1-2 Pardon Divisions

11. 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40

12. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORDs hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40

13. Without the shedding of blood There is no forgiveness Hebrews 9:22 Principle

14. Application Questions Will you ask for forgiveness? Will you forgive your enemies?

15. Application Prayer I Adore You Precious Lamb & Seeker of the lost I Confess & I am sorry for rebelling against You Thank You for saving me from sin, satan, death I Pray You shape my heart to Your Desires

16. 3-5 Preparation Divisions

17. 3 A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Isaiah 40

18. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. Isaiah 40

19. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken Isaiah 40

20. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all 2 Corinthians 4:17 Principle

21. Application Questions Jesus desires to come into your life. Will you clear the stony soil from your heart for Him to reign?

22. Application Prayer I Adore You my Sovereign Lord and King I Confess I have loved other gods above You Thank You for the Joy & Honor of serving You I Pray for Power to obey Your Will faithfully

23. 6-8 Promise Divisions

24. 6 A voice says, Cry out. All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field Isaiah 40

25. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40

26. Without faith It is impossible to please God Hebrews 11:6 Principle

27. Faith Faith knows God is Present Faith trusts Gods loving purpose in every test Faith seeks how to glorify God through tests Faith submits to God without question Faith lives for Gods Approval, not His deliverance

28. Application Questions Does this describe your faith? Will you exercise faith in your current circumstances?

29. Application Prayer I Adore You as my Promise Keeping God I Confess I have trusted man instead of You Thank You for preparing a future full of hope I Pray for Help to live with an eternal perspective

30. 9-11 Presence Divisions

31. 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to Judah, Here is your God! Isaiah 40

32. 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him Isaiah 40: Power and Authority

33. 11 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 Isaiah 40: Humble and Gentle

34. If God be for us, No one and nothing can prevail against us. Principle

35. Application Questions What need in your life would you like your Shepherd to meet today?

36. If you are: Hungry – Let Jesus feed you! Lonely – Let Jesus hold you close! Tired – Let Jesus carry you! Lost – Let Jesus lead you!

37. Isaiah 40:1-11 Summary 1-2 A Voice of Pardon –Sacrificial Lamb 3-5 A Voice of Preparation –Coming King 6-8 A Voice of Promise –Trustworthy Friend 9-11 A Voice of Presence –Gentle Shepherd

38. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

39. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand Isaiah 41:10 Gods New Year Promise Presence, Possession, Power, Permanence

40. May God bless you richly in 2012 as you install Jesus as your Eternal Comfort! Isaiah 40

41. God our Comfort Isaiah 40