Old Testament | Isaiah 40:1-11 (with Nick Locke)

Sunday’s Sermon:
Aliso Creek Church Podcast

Opening Song:
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People by Catherine Winkworth and Johannes G. Olearius, arranged by Nathan Clark George

Lyrics:
Comfort ye my people
Speak ye peace thus saith our God
Comfort comfort
Comfort those who sit in darkness
Mourning 'neath their sorrow's load

Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over
Hark the voice of one that crieth
In the desert far and near
Bidding all souls to repentance
Since the kingdom now is here

O that warning cry obey
Now prepare for God away
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him
Make ye make ye
Make ye straight what long was crooked
Make the rougher places plain
Let your hearts be true and humble
As befits His holy reign

For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er the earth is shed abroad
And all flesh shall see the token
And all flesh shall see the token
That His word is never broken
Comfort ye my people

Passage:
1 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and announce to her
that her time of hard service is over,
her iniquity has been pardoned,
and she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.”

3 A voice of one crying out:
Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness;
make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
4 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.
5 And the glory of the LORD will appear,
and all humanity together will see it,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!”
Another said, “What should I cry out?”
“All humanity is grass,
and all its goodness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flowers fade
when the breath of the LORD blows on them;
indeed, the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flowers fade,
but the word of our God remains forever.”

9 Zion, herald of good news,
go up on a high mountain.
Jerusalem, herald of good news,
raise your voice loudly.
Raise it, do not be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord GOD comes with strength,
and his power establishes his rule.
His wages are with him,
and his reward accompanies him.
11 He protects his flock like a shepherd;
he gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them in the fold of his garment.
He gently leads those that are nursing.
(Isaiah 40:1-11 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard

Reflection Notes:
This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.

Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.