Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The book of Isaiah is full of foreshadowings of Jesus. Chapter 40 marks the beginning of a new section which may have been written by a different author; most scholars don't think the book was written by one person, though they all stress its artistic and prophetic unity.
There are some electrifying passages in this chapter. Some are familiar from Advent readings or from their use in Handel's Messiah – 'Comfort my people' (verse 1), 'Prepare in the wilderness a road for the Lord' (verse 3). Towards the end is the beautiful promise that those who trust in the Lord will 'rise on wings like eagles' (verse 31).
The promises here that God will come to rescue his people reflect their situation as exiles in Babylon: God will intervene and bring them home. But they also speak of his intervention to save the human race and bring it home to him. Mark begins his Gospel by quoting from this chapter (1.3): the 'voice' that cries out is John the Baptist, who heralds the ministry of Jesus. So these promises are for all of us, whatever the trials we face: God has come to save us in Jesus, and God will save us out of all our troubles.
So this chapter is a wonderful assurance of God's care for his people: 'He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers' (verse 11).
God, thank you for coming to this world to rescue us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to rely on your word and to trust in your promises to save me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
Read the Bible 
Processing...