Day Thirteen--July 13, 2026--"But God.."

 

Isaiah 40:1-8

Hinge Verse: Isaiah 40:8

Isaiah 40 starts with words of comfort from the only One who can truly comfort--God Himself.  He tells Isaiah the prophet to comfort the people of God.  They are in captivity in Babylon because they refused to turn from their wicked ways and trust in God.  The message from the LORD is one of tenderness, hope, comfort, pardon, and blessing.  

In verse 3, there's a prophecy of John the Baptist, given 700 years before he was born, as he will come before Jesus to prepare the way for Him and His ministry on earth.  I love the imagery of verses 4-5--

"Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled;

the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain.  

And the glory of the LORD will appear, and all humanity together will see it, 

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

All humanity has an expiration date; we are like grass and like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flowers fade, the effect of God's interaction with them in their seasons.  And then it's repeated to double down on the truth of the statement; Indeed, the people are grass.  The grass withers, the flowers fade, BUT the word of our GOD remains forever."  

The second continental Congress met on July 4, 1776 and adopted the Declaration of Independence, cutting ties with Britain officially.  Arguably, the most famous line from the document is this--

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

One ancient nation held captive in a foreign land because of rebellion against their Creator.  One newborn nation in a new land to stand for the right for all humanity to enjoy the rights bestowed on them by their Creator.  

But neither one of them got it right.  

Israel returned from exile in Babylon, rebuilt the temple, lived through 400 years of silence from the Lord.

America declared independence from Britain, only to find themselves entangled in slavery, civil war, savagery between them and the people native to the land.  

Isaiah 40:4-5 speaks of a time of equality for all.  But we don't see that in Israel or America.  Or anywhere else.  Why?

Because our freedom doesn't come from humanity.  We cannot level the playing field.  We can try.  Israel tries.  America tries.  Other countries try.  We want freedom, equality for all.  But inevitably, someone gets less.  Some are on a high road of success.   Some live in a valley of disappointment after disappointment.  Some have nothing but uneven, ankle-breaking ground of unfairness all their lives.  

Freedom only comes from our Creator.  Only He can grant us equality, all of us standing on even ground.  But it's not for the reason you think.  It's not so everything is fair.  He gives us level ground so we can all see Jesus.  Jesus came in on a straight highway in full view.  The glory of God appeared, and all humanity together has seen it.  

We see people treated unfairly everyday; by others, by their circumstances.  But one day, humanity will reach our expiration date set by the breath of the LORD from the beginning of time.  Elohim, God's Name in verse 8--singular yet plural--will level the fields forever.  Because He is wise, faithful, gracious, good, holy, just, loving--He will make all things fair.  And we--all humanity--will see Jesus, returning on a straight highway.  We--those who trust in Him-- will finally have our unalienable rights in the presence of Jesus--life, liberty, and happiness evermore.  His Word Endures Forever.