Comfort from God – Isaiah 57:15-19 Submitted by Kay Crumley
Where do you go when your life is crashing down around you for comfort and support? Comfort can be physical release from pain or emotional relief from feelings of grief or distress. We all find ourselves in need of comfort. Today we’re talking mostly about emotional distress, even though we must remember that our Creator God is also the Great Physician.
As a child and young adult my place to run was to my Dad. He was the man who I once watched catch a snake by the tail, twirl it over his head a couple times, and pop, like cracking a whip, it’s head off. Now, that will get a kid’s attention enough to have confidence in his power. He gave the best hugs too. When my heart was broken just going to him and feeling the safety and love of his arms wrapped around me was enough. Think about your place or person you go to for comfort or solace. As believers, we have the Great Comforter who is ever on guard, watchful over His children. He knows us and our circumstances regardless of the cause and is ready to hear our prayer. As we know Him and His Word, we can find comfort and encouragement in His promises throughout the Word.
In Isaiah we find the Prophet writing to the Israelites who had turned away from God and had not heard from Him because of their sin. They had turned to idol worship and many kinds of sinful practices. Yet, He spoke through Isaiah to encourage the people that He had not deserted them.
In verse 15 we are reminded who God is. He lives in the most exalted place, Heaven, He is eternal. He is holy. That’s enough to get our attention about the one true God. But the best news is that He is with us, oppressed and crushed in spirit and is ready to restore us to Himself.
We must understand His great Majesty. He is the God of the universe, creator of heaven and earth. He is eternal. He is our forever God who has all power. He is in control of everything. He is our Majestic King. Take a moment to take that in so you can understand or be reminded of who our God truly is.
Do you expect someone who is powerful, wealthy, and highly exalted on earth to have time for you? I know I don’t feel worthy of some highly placed person to take time for me. Yet, our Majestic, Holy God is also with us, those who have lowly and oppressed spirits. Some versions say contrite and humble spirits. Contrite meaning having remorse for our sin to the point of having crushed hearts. Humble is recognizing our lack of pride as compared to God.
He has such great love for us that he cannot remain angry forever, verse 16. He will rebuild our relationship with Him even though we are undeserving based on our sinful rebellion toward Him. We must recognize His unfailing, unconditional love.
15 For the High and Exalted One,
who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed.
16 For I will not accuse you forever,
and I will not always be angry;
for then the spirit would grow weak before me,
even the breath, which I have made.
17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry,
so I struck him; I was angry and hid;
but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort
to him and his mourners,
19 creating words of praise.”
The Lord says,
“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near,
and I will heal him.
We can see His compassion for us beginning in verse 18. God knows our sinful ways, yet He will heal us, restore us. He gives comfort to those who see who He is and admits to the sinful lives they have been leading. Those who are repentant, oppressed by their sin and in humility recognize the Holy God for Who He is. Those who are recipients of His great love and compassion then must praise Him.
The final verse of this passage is of great comfort and encouragement to us. Isaiah is speaking to the Jewish nation, yet God includes us. He offers peace to those who are far, Gentiles, and to those who are near, Jews. He will heal us, bring us to Him if we will just submit to Him alone.
