avail, when they leave him under condemnation! The word of the Lord can do that for us, which
all flesh cannot. The glad tidings of the coming of Christ were to be sent forth to the ends of the
earth. Satan is the strong man armed; but our Lord Jesus is stronger; and he shall proceed, and do
all that he purposes. Christ is the good Shepherd; he shows tender care for young converts, weak
believers, and those of a sorrowful spirit. By his word he requires no more service, and by his
providence he inflicts no more trouble, than he will strengthen them for. May we know our
Shepherd's voice, and follow him, proving ourselves his sheep.
Is. 40:12-17 All created beings shrink to nothing in comparison with the Creator. When the
Lord, by his Spirit, made the world, none directed his Spirit, or gave advice what to do, or how to
do it. The nations, in comparison of him, are as a drop which remains in the bucket, compared with
the vast ocean; or as the small dust in the balance, which does not turn it, compared with all the
earth. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value
with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, John 3:16. The services of
the church can make no addition to him. Our souls must have perished for ever, if the only Son of
the Father had not given himself for us.
Is. 40:18-26 Whatever we esteem or love, fear or hope in, more than God, that creature we
make equal with God, though we do not make images or worship them. He that is so poor, that he
has scarcely a sacrifice to offer, yet will not be without a god of his own. They spared no cost upon
their idols; we grudge what is spent in the service of our God. To prove the greatness of God, the
prophet appeals to all ages and nations. Those who are ignorant of this, are willingly ignorant. God
has the command of all creatures, and of all created things. The prophet directs us to use our reason
as well as our senses; to consider who created the hosts of heaven, and to pay our homage to Him.
Not one fails to fulfil his will. And let us not forget, that He spake all the promises, and engaged
to perform them.
Is. 40:27-31 The people of God are reproved for their unbelief and distrust of God. Let them
remember they took the names Jacob and Israel, from one who found God faithful to him in all his
straits. And they bore these names as a people in covenant with Him. Many foolish frets, and foolish
fears, would vanish before inquiry into the causes. It is bad to have evil thoughts rise in our minds,
but worse to turn them into evil words. What they had known, and had heard, was sufficient to
silence all these fears and distrusts. Where God had begun the work of grace, he will perfect it. He
will help those who, in humble dependence on him, help themselves. As the day, so shall the strength
be. In the strength of Divine grace their souls shall ascend above the world. They shall run the way
of God's commandments cheerfully. Let us watch against unbelief, pride, and self-confidence. If
we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint, and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hopes
in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our
high calling in Christ Jesus.