Mighty, Tender Shepherd

“‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God” (Isa. 40:1, NKJV).

Does your heart need the soothing encouragement of Jesus’ love today? Let’s dig into Isaiah 40 together for a moment. The immeasurable depths of His character revealed to us in this passage of Scripture will infuse your spirit with His tangible reassurance.

Holy Spirit starts out this chapter by decreeing a release of comfort to us, His people. What He has in mind for us is a double portion of comfort; for this reason, He emphatically pronounces the word over our souls twice. “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Subsequently, He unfolds for us the concrete basis for this decree:

1. He is Almighty, wielding limitless power. There is absolutely nothing that can successfully come against us when we are under His impenetrable protection.
2. He is infinitely tender towards us. This means that He channels all of the unbounded resources at His disposal into His care for us.

Does what you are facing in this moment seem to tower menacingly over you in its enormity? “He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand” (v. 15c, NLT). Whatever it is, it’s not the tiniest bit difficult for God.  With His pinky finger, with a sniff of air from His nostrils, He could instantly send that ugly problem into oblivion. You have not even begun to imagine the might available for release through even the thoughts of His mind. You are in very good hands. Nestle into His chest and notice just how rock solid the muscular arms are that have you cradled close!

Juxtaposed with His unmatched strength, is His exquisite gentleness. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (v. 11, NIV). No matter how harrowing the storm has been, no matter how painful the night of sorrows, you are safe now. Your Good Shepherd gathers you into His embrace. He will be keeping you ever so close to His heart. He cares about all that you have walked through, with intense passion. He is fiercely committed to being the shelter your heart cries out for.

A double portion of comfort… glorious power at work on your behalf… ardent devotion consuming His heart with desire to protect and provide for you… Nestle in, precious lamb, to the luxurious refuge of His bosom. You are safe. He will never, ever let you go.

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Do you have a favorite Scripture that expresses the juxtaposition of God’s mighty power, and His amazing tenderness?