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,
Let us remind your people today, heralding the victory Jesus won. Christ came to this earth that first Christmas to defeat the old evil foe on the cross. When he said, “It is finished!” Satan was beaten, and when Jesus gave up his life, he defeated death. So please give us comfort in knowing Jesus’ suffering and death paid for all our sins and guilt. Give each one comfort knowing our sins are forgiven, they are removed, and we are restored to you. We never have to worry if this or that sin is covered because, as Isaiah wrote about the heart of Jerusalem, your body of believers receives a double portion of forgiveness for every sin—you forgive each sin twice.
You have made us your people by faith in your Son, our Savior, and you desire to comfort us through the peace of forgiveness. Sin divides us from you, and Jesus’ death removed those sins. So Jesus’ forgiveness restores us to you, and we receive the comfort of knowing we have eternal life.
Thank you for giving us the comfort that comes only through Jesus; may we share this comfort with those who do not know of his forgiveness. So that in faith, they, too, may have your joy, hope, and peace delivered to them because we all are entirely forgiven. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Hear the good news, Jesus came that first Christmas to suffer and die for your every sin; you are forgiven. God wants you to know that his love and mercy restores you through faith.