embrace

The covenant God made with His people is an assurance and guarantee of tender, resolute and enduring love for all of us. This word told through the prophet Isaiah in a time of great trial, gave comfort and continues to help all of us to focus on God’s security, despite any difficult circumstances. Because we belong to God, we are safe and secure in God’s loving arms. When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote the scripture, he prophesied to a nation whose families would know

​God’s encouraging word, written in the 8th century b.c. to His people suffering in exile, is infinitely loving and tender, as we are advised He is on hand to help and we have nothing to fear. We have an awesome God, who gives ‘power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak’ (Isaiah 40:29) and countless other Scripture quotes emphasizing God’s abundant and plentiful provision for us, throughout the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. ​ Yet, many times we doubt and often as c

The book of Isaiah, written in the exile period, gave comfort to the Israelites during times of great pain, promising redemption and restoration. In any moment, it is good wisdom to remind us not to dwell on the past. Who of us has not been lost and confused in a stressful and often violent world? As people of faith, we do our best to acknowledge God is with us, even in the darkest days. Re-living yesterday usually leaves us in the dark and I doubt any of us wants to stay the

When first written Isaiah’s audience was in exile and great suffering. This message of comfort promises God’s forgiveness and infinite power, reminding us of God’s love for Israel and Judah (the two tribes at that time) never weakened. “The Hebrew word for comfort is naham. It is a deeply emotional word, overflowing with feelings of pity and concern. It is a word that often has the meaning of consolation.” (The Bible Reader’s Companion, Laurence O. Richards) How deeply we

Run and not grow weary? What’s that about? You might say, “Lord, I can barely walk. My mother (father, husband, child) requires all my care and there’s little time between my job and all else. I am so weary. Where are you God, please help me.” Hope in the Lord becomes the foundation for all else. The book of Isaiah the prophet, written during a time of exile and great hardship for the Israelites, reminds us that this is the God who stoops to give strength to those who p