Isaiah 40:1-2
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call out to her. Her warfare really is over. Her guilt is fully paid for. Yes, she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Comfort is what you want for all your people. These words Isaiah penned before Judah was taken into the Babylonian captivity. Grant us the comfort in them as well. Sin rages like a battle in each of us; we fight with ourselves about right and wrong. Then we also quarrel with those around us—our families, friends, and neighbors—we can hold on to the guilt of what we have said and done. What does it cost to forgive? Forgiving ourselves and others costs nothing other than letting go of our pride. However, it cost Jesus everything on the cross to forgive our sins.
Every battle ends with a victory for one and defeat for the other. In your plan of our salvation was completed when Jesus said, “It is finished!” When he gave up his life, he was the complete victor, beating death; it is defeated. Jesus paid the ultimate price for all our sins. Isaiah recorded that you paid double the price for the world’s sins. So we never have to worry that we will ever reach the limit of your love for us. Since our sins are paid in full, we have nothing about which to feel guilty. Lord, thank you for paying double for all our debt, and we have complete comfort. Thank you for creating faith in us through your Holy Spirit that we believe in the forgiveness Jesus won. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
The price paid for our forgiveness was so extreme, we never want to take it for granted, thinking we have a free-for-all to sin and cheapening God’s grace. It is by faith, we receive this gift, and by faith, we also love God in return.