Monday 31 March 2025

Psalm 107:1-16

Background
In the majestic sweep of the book of Isaiah, sometimes described as 'the Old Testament gospel', chapter 40 marks the start of a fresh message. Many believe that the chapters that follow come from a different prophet – 'a second Isaiah' - because their subject, style and language are so different from what comes before. Others believe that there is much that binds the whole book together and that a single prophet or school of prophets were responsible for the whole. It is quite likely that the words were originally an oral tradition, and were written down later.

The first 39 chapters are preoccupied with the threat from the cruel and uncompromising Assyrian Empire. Isaiah asks: what went so wrong that the nation of Israel brought this calamity upon themselves? In our passage today though, Isaiah’s message is one of comfort – reassuring the people he loves that, despite everything, we can still rely on God’s care for us.

We may wonder how Isaiah dares to say such a thing. The Assyrians had destroyed and ethnically cleansed the northern kingdom of Israel, and the southern kingdom of Judah had been defeated by the new Babylonian Empire. Isaiah’s likely readers were people in exile, who had lost hope of ever seeing their homeland again. Those who had remained in Judah were living in an impoverished wasteland. How did Isaiah dare to suggest hope?

Isaiah’s great poem of comfort starts with God’s covenant with his people. Despite everything, God still loves them, and they are still at the centre of God’s plans. God recognises that whatever the penalty for their past failures, the price has been paid – they are forgiven and redeemed. And the word of God that guarantees all this is for ever. Here is a message to shout from the mountaintop – here is your God!

To Ponder:

• Isaiah’s words of hope were intended for people who were experiencing heartache and anxiety. Where do you look for hope when you are anxious or despondent?
• Do you need to hear God’s words of comfort and a promise of a fresh start?

Prayer
Comforting God, in the tough and unforgiving places in life, there you meet us. Help us to be open to your promises, even if they seem unrealistic and remote. Draw us to yourself so that we can know your unfailing care for us. Amen.

Bible notes author: Bob Bartindale
Bob Bartindale is a local preacher in the Bramhall & Wythenshawe Circuit near Manchester. He currently serves as the Officer for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders in the Methodist Connexional Team.