“Series: God’s Care For His People (Isaiah 40)” (#3)
COMFORTING
Isaiah 40:27-31
Introduction:
1. As I look around I have learned that pain and suffering are not discriminatory. It doesn’t matter your color, your age, your education, etc... We all have to deal with difficult times. I was recently asked, “Why do Christians have to suffer”?
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
2. This passage explains that we suffer so we can discover and experience the power of God working in our lives. We also suffer in order to be able to give comfort to others. Sometimes we suffer so we can realize that we need God, that we can’t do it on our own
3. Our text today gives us two ways of dealing with out suffering and pain.
Solution # 1: Complain
Let’s see what this solution leads to.
Isaiah 40:27
1. Complaining leads to self pity. If you are sitting around whining about how bad your life is will that lift you out of the problem? Is complaining going to bring comfort to yourself or anyone around you? No, complaining brings everyone around you down.
Isaiah 40-28-29
2. Complaining also shows our lack of trust in God. You are saying either God can’t handle it or He doesn’t care.
3. What does complaining lead to? It leads to destruction. Complaining never helps at all.
Numbers 21:4-9
What was the solution for the Israelites in order to live? The same as it is for us. Look to God.
Solution # 2: Call
Isaiah 40:30-31
1. Even the youngest of us get tired and run out of energy. Suffering and pain are not discriminatory. This solution from God comes with a command. This is one of those conditional promises found in the Bible. If you do your part, God will do His.
2. What must we do? We must hope or wait, upon the Lord. This hope is not a “hope” that you wish for something or maybe. This hope is knowing that God will handle things. You just don’t know when. See, you can’t give up on God. You need to stop crying and complaining a put your trust in God.
3. When you do this, here is what happens. God will give you a renewed strength, energy to preserve, and endurance to finish strongly. With this strength, perseverance, and endurance in your life, God will comfort you. He will also comfort others through you.
Conclusion:
1. Remember the story about the Israelites complaining and the snakes? What did they have to do to live?
John 3:14-16
2. If you are here this morning without Christ as Savior your life will continue to become more hopeless everyday. You will not find comfort anywhere. What you need to do today is look to the cross of Jesus where He was lifted up for your sins and accept the gift of salvation He offers you today.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
3. Christians, your only hope is in Jesus Christ. Remember no matter what happens, He is there to lift you up. Place your hope in God. Wait upon Him and He will put you back on your feet
