I Believe; Help My UnbeliefSample
We’re not quite done with voices and messages from heaven. Weirdly and unexpectedly this last one is the voice of a whole city–the voice of Jerusalem.
You know that for Israel, Zion/Jerusalem was the epicentre of their identity and their God. Zion was their compass for life and culture. There could be no better place for a global loudspeaker than their city.
But … they … had … rather … lost hope in their city … as they had … with their God. A languishing people.
Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news… (ESV) No time for despondency. No place for shame. Get out your loudspeaker. Shout out the Gospel!
The second half of Isaiah has sometimes been called The Fifth Gospel. You get that feel from these messages so far, don’t you? It’s certainly good news. It’s life-giving. It’s urgent. It’s amazing!
Can you sum up ‘the Gospel according to Isaiah’ from vs. 1-9?
Prayer
This wasn’t just a challenge for your people in Jerusalem, Lord God. In the power of your Spirit, fire me up with enthusiasm and boldness to share this good news of life and hope.
Scripture
About this Plan
Isaiah 40 is a pocketful of comfort for a languishing people. It’s served up in two courses: messages to renew hope and questions to reorientate worship. Main course–God’s good news; dessert: God’s glory. It wasn’t just Israel that was languishing; we all need this kind of nourishment to worship well.
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