#DailyDevotion God Is Crazy Generous

Isaiah 40:1-8

“Comfort My people, comfort them” says your God. “Talk to the heart of Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her wrong is paid for, and she has received from the Lord double for all her sins.” A voice cries in the wilderness: “Prepare a way for the LORD: make a straight highway in the desert for our God. Every valley must be raised; every mountain and hill be lowered. The steep places must be made level; the impassable ridges be made a plain. Then the LORD will show His glory, and all people together will see it for the mouth of the LORD has said it.” A voice called, “Preach!” “What should I preach?” I asked. “All people are grass, and all their beauty like a flower in the field. Grass dries up, and a flower withers when the LORD’s breath blows on it. Yes, the people are grass. Grass dries up, and a flower withers, but the Word of our God will stand forever.”

Advent is a season where we can look to God for comfort. While in the midst of our repentance, we remember what Jesus has done for us as we look forward to his second coming. God tells us through Isaiah to be comforted. Why are we comforted? Our wrong is paid for. Who paid it? Jesus did on the cross as he suffered what we deserve for our sins, death. Jesus has paid the ransom with his blood. We do not have to fear appearing before God in judgment anymore.

Now, “she has received from the Lord double for all her sins,” gives us something to question. On the one hand some think it means Israel and Jerusalem were punished twice as much as they deserved. However, God is just. He will not punish us more than we deserve. Then there are those commentators who recognize the crazy generosity of our God. He actually is rewarding with twice as much good stuff in opposition to their sins. But wait, I thought you said God is just. Indeed you are correct. But you see, Jesus has paid the just price for their sins and for your sins. Since our trespasses are no longer being held against us and Christ is giving us his righteousness to boot through faith in Jesus, God rewards us with the righteousness that is justly due to Jesus Christ.

Now as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ first advent, the Church prepares the world for Jesus’ second advent. Our message is the same, Prepare a way for the LORD: make a straight highway in the desert for our God. Every valley must be raised; every mountain and hill be lowered. The steep places must be made level; the impassable ridges be made a plain.” John prepared the way calling the people to repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We call ourselves and all people to turn from our sinful, self-centered lives and to turn to God our Father and live for Him and for others. We start repairing the damage of our past, making amends with those we have hurt, love our enemies and loving one another.

Then we will see the glory of our God, that is, we will see Jesus returning on the clouds with all his angels coming in glory. They will remove all that is wicked in this world, he will raise the dead in Christ with life immortal, those who believe in him who are living will be changed into his glorified body and those who rejected him will be cast out into everlasting darkness. The Word of the LORD last forever. This word cannot be changed. He will do it. You can count on it. Thanks be to God.



Merciful and gracious God, through your word grant us repentance and faith unto eternal life that we may see Jesus’ glory when he returns. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.