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 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

When Saul of Tarsus had his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, the Lord said to him: ”Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). So he learned early on that there is a solidarity between Christ and His people. What is done to them is done to Him (see e.g. Matt.25:45). The Christians were being persecuted, but it was Christ who was being persecuted.

This was a lesson he came to understand so deeply that he could express his ambition like this in his letter to the Philippians:

 ”I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (3:10,11).

The persecution sufferings of believers are a ‘participation’ (fellowship) in Christ’s own sufferings. He is continuing to suffer in and with His people. We are the body of Christ – one with our Head. The hatred of the world for the church is actually its hatred of Christ.

This hatred is irrational.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

Of course Paul’s point is that if share in Christ’s sufferings, we will also be the beneficiaries of God’s very real comfort. If we suffer with Christ we will also experience comfort through Christ.

But God’s comfort is ‘not to terminate with the one who receives it.’ (Paul Barnett). This point will be further emphasised as we move on through the paragraph next time.

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (The Message).

The Bible leaves us in no doubt that we should expect the Christian life to be difficult. Someone said that directly or indirectly, suffering is referred to seventeen times in five verses (3-7). The word for ”troubles” (4, NIV), contains the idea of ‘pressure’. ‘While Paul doubtless was as prone to money worries, health problems and relationship conflicts as other people, faithfulness to Christ and to the ministry were the chief source of his troubles.’ Paul Barnett: ‘The message of 2 Corinthians’, p.30.

But God’s comfort is real, and we can know it. However, we are not to keep it ourselves, but pass it on to others. If it is ‘mine’, I need to understand it is ‘mine to share.’ When God takes us through hard times, for His sake, the suffering is not wasted. He does something in us that will enable Him to do something with us, in serving fellow-believers.

Don’t waste your trouble. Share around God’s comfort.

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…

People attending the synagogue of that day would pray, ‘Blessed art thou, O Lord our God and God of our fathers.’ It’s been pointed out that the re-shaping of this prayer, so that it is now directed to ”the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” gives some insight into the impact of Jesus, the Son of God on early Jewish Christian believers like Paul and Peter. It should not be lost on us that in a number of New Testament letters the Name of Jesus is spoken of in the closest possible connection with God the Father. Also, that this is done by Jews who were so wary of slipping into blasphemy. But they could speak of Jesus and God in the same breath. Other parts of Paul’s writings reveal that he clearly believed Jesus to be God.

Paul was aware that there were those who preached ‘another’ Jesus (see 11:4-6). He wanted his readers to be clear about the identity of the real Jesus.

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles…

Here thanks are given to God for Who He is: ”…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort…” and for what He does: ”…comforts us in all our troubles…” Note that big little word ”all”. We will face many trials in the course of our Christian lives, as we move through this God-hating, Christ-rejecting territory. But not one will come our way without God being able to reach us with His comfort. It may come directly to our souls. But it is often the case that He delivers His comfort through many an errand boy, or girl. Someone speaks a kind word, writes a letter or card which you receive just when you need it most; someone shares a meal with you, or expresses kindness in some other way. Need I go on? The Lord has multiple ways of getting His aid to us. Still today He has His ‘ravens’ (see 1 Kings 17:2-6).

David Pawson said that a lady told him once that she would like to hear him preach about comfort. When he asked her what kind of comfort she meant, he realised it was more about being ‘comfortable.’ The word ‘comfort’ may conjure in our minds the idea of a hot water bottle. However, when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as a ”comforter” the word means ‘one called alongside to help. On another occasion, Pawson pointed out that the English word has at its heart the Latin word ‘fort‘. He said, ‘The Holy Spirit comes to turn you into a fortress for the day of battle.’ Someone else observed that the word has less of the ‘There, there now’ about it, and more of the ‘Up troops and at ’em!’

I understand that in the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events of 1066 and all that, there is a caption which reads, ‘Bishop Odin comforteth his troops.’ What is Bishop Odin doing? He is prodding them back into the battle with his sword!

This is the type of comfort we all need at times, and will need in the future. It cannot be separated from the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you know who you are? What God has called you to do with your life? I believe you can, and that it is indeed what God wants for each of us. You may, or may not be able to put a label on it as Paul could, when he affirmed that he was ”an apostle”. But there are certain things that, when you do them, your heart sings. You feel, ‘I was made for this.’ As someone I heard put it, you are in the ‘sweet spot’ of your calling. For Eric Liddle, it included running. In the film, ‘Chariots of Fire’, he says to his sister, ‘When I run, Jenny, I feel His pleasure.’ As a Christian Olympian, he ran for the glory of God. The will of God isn’t just about making preachers. (Although Liddle went on to also be a great missionary in China).

But being in the will of God does not guarantee you an easy life. In the background of 2 Corinthians there is much about Paul’s suffering. He was being scandalously attacked. In this letter he frequently defends himself against these accusations. He does so, not for his own sake, but for the sake of the gospel. If mud was thrown, he didn’t want any of it to land on the gospel message itself and tarnish it. This is why he is so vigorous in his defence.

‘One key word in 2 Corinthians is comfort (encouragement), used in one form or another twenty-nine times. Yet there are many references to suffering, too. In this very personal letter Paul opens his heart and shares his deepest joys and sorrows. After all, Christians are human and must be honest in expressing in expressing their feelings.’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.756.

(Note: Some time after writing 1 Corinthians, Paul heard that the situation in Corinth had deteriorated. So he wrote a severe letter to the Corinthians, from Ephesus, and sent it with Titus (2 Corinthians 2:3-4). But this letter has now been lost. For that reason we refer to Paul’s third letter as ”2 Corinthians”.)

Recently, I found myself wondering when this series on the second half of Isaiah began. Then I saw in my journal that I started work on it on 25th September 2023. When I embarked on this, I had no idea it would last the better part of thirteen months. But my aim is, in the main, to work slowly through Bible passages, and when something hits me to write about it. These are not in depth Bible Studies. That much must be obvious. But the Bible should be taken seriously. So, if that means slowing down to savour words and phrases in texts, so we can give them time and attention, then that’s the pace I wish to adopt. If it’s not for you, I understand. There are all kinds of devotional aids available now, and I’m sure you can find an approach that best suits your personality. Thank you for sticking with me as long as you have. I appreciate you.

Having come to the end of these devotionals on Isaiah, I am going to take a break, before we begin a new series on 2 Corinthians, starting next Monday, God-willing (4th Nov). Please use this time to think over some of the big truths you have seen in Isaiah’s majestic prophetic book. Perhaps take out your journal (or a notebook) and pen/pencil, and jot them down? What has Isaiah taught me? You might also want to start to read 2 Corinthians, praying that God will enlighten us as we read. I would also very much appreciate your prayers that I will be led by the Holy Spirit in everything I write, kept from error, and that these notes will glorify God, edify His people, and be a means of extending His Kingdom. Also, that they will reach the hearts and minds of everyone the Lord wants to read them, be they few or many. I began to write these daily notes, probably over a decade ago now, because I felt ‘prompted’ to do so. Therefore I believe God has a purpose for them.

The notes on Isaiah 40-66 are not the last word on this majestic Biblical ‘mountain range.’ We all know that. Many others have explored these ‘peaks’ in greater detail. There are parts of the terrain I have not covered at all. I am aware that there are depths of truth that lie beyond my current comprehension and ability to convey. I have often ‘cast’ my ‘bread upon the waters’, wondering what it will do (Ecc.11;1). But in accordance with that verse, I have to believe that there will be a return, even though its appearance may be ‘after many days.’

A friend told a story about a minister he had heard about. This man had a successful ministry, and he was once asked about the secret of his success. He replied and said, ‘I don’t really know. All I can say is, I am a serious reader of the Bible.

May that be true of you, of me…and of everyone who comes across these notes.

”This is what the Lord says:

‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting-place be?
² Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?’
declares the Lord.

‘‘These are the ones I look on with favour:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1,2)

“As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain,
    so will you always be my people,
with a name that will never disappear,”
    says the Lord.
²³ “All humanity will come to worship me
    from week to week
    and from month to month.
²⁴ And as they go out, they will see
    the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me.
For the worms that devour them will never die,
    and the fire that burns them will never go out.
All who pass by
    will view them with utter horror.” (New Living Translation).

So this great book of Isaiah concludes on the note of division. We might say it ends in a minor key, with the final key change occurring in the last verse. We move from the exuberant, joyful picture of an enduring ”new heavens” and ”new earth”, with an enduring people of God, and the worship of God by ”all mankind”, to a devastating scene of judgment and loss. We are faced with the question, ‘On which side of this dividing line am I?’ Will I be with the company of God’s worshippers, or among the rebellious, with their bitter end? (Verse 24 does not speak of gloating, but sober reflection).

‘…the final verse contains a chilling reminder that those same promises to Abraham implied judgment. They confronted men and women with the unavoidable responsibility to respond: to bless or curse, and be blessed or cursed themselves. The last verse does not detract in any way from the victory of the previous verse, but rather testifies to the completeness of it. God will not stoop to conversion by force. He will give us what we choose, and be glorified as much by his righteous judgment as by his saving grace.’ Barry Webb: ‘Isaiah’, p.251.

 “I know everything they’ve ever done or thought. I’m going to come and then gather everyone—all nations, all languages. They’ll come and see my glory. I’ll set up a station at the center. I’ll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I’ve done nor who I am. I’ll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They’ll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They’ll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God. They’ll bring them on horses and wagons and carts, on mules and camels, straight to my holy mountain Jerusalem,” says God. “They’ll present them just as Israelites present their offerings in a ceremonial vessel in the Temple of God. I’ll even take some of them and make them priests and Levites,” says God. (The Message).

In the light of the judgment about which we read yesterday, what should the church be doing? The answer involves the spreading of the gospel on a worldwide scale.

It may be that these verses look ahead to the conversion of Israel, and its aftermath (see Rom.9-11, especially 11:25-32). We may well ask with Paul, ”But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!” (Rom.11:12).

Christians who believe there will be a literal reign of Christ on the earth for 1,000 years, after He comes back (‘the Millenium’, see Rev.20:6,7), may be inclined to see the fulfilment of this passage as lying in that future era.

But I find Barry Webb’s comments persuasive:

‘This last tremendous paragraph contains God’s entire programme for the evangelization of the world. It is summarized in verse 18. In a word, God’s fundamental response to the evil actions and imaginations of his creatures is one of grace. His gathering, rescuing activity, once restricted to the dispersed of Israel, is to be extended to all people. He wil come and gather people of all nations and tongues so that they may see his glory (18). The goal of mission is the glory of God, that God might be known and honoured for who he really is…It is the nations that are harvested, and converts from all nations that are presented to the LORD as holy offerings…What a stunningly accurate portrayal this is of things to come! No prophet understood more deeply the missionary nature of God’s heart, or the shape of the mission he would put into effect when the time was right. ‘Isaiah’, from pp.249-251.

Prayer:Lord, give us hearts to see the lostness of the world without you, and a deep willingness to play our our part in your mission to the world.

You’ll see all this and burst with joy
    —you’ll feel ten feet tall—
As it becomes apparent that God is on your side
    and against his enemies.
For God arrives like wildfire
    and his chariots like a tornado,
A furious outburst of anger,
    a rebuke fierce and fiery.
For it’s by fire that God brings judgment,
    a death sentence on the human race.
Many, oh so many,
    are under God’s sentence of death:

¹⁷ “All who enter the sacred groves for initiation in those unholy rituals that climaxed in that foul and obscene meal of pigs and mice will eat together and then die together.” God’s Decree. (The Message).

‘The judgment that begins with the house of God has its significance not simply in itself but in what it points to. It is a sign of the final, universal judgment to come. It puts the whole world on notice.’ Barry Webb: ‘Isaiah’, p.249.

As we have been reading these later chapters of Isaiah we have repeatedly seen the awful reality of God’s judgment. It has become clear that there is a dividing line running through history (and even through the midst of the church: the people of God), and there will be those who are ‘saved’ and those who are ‘lost.’ Now, this great prophetic book comes to a conclusion on same note. In large parts of the church numbers of people are going soft on this message. But it is not for us to re-write the Bible just because we find somethings hard.

If it is the case that:

”Many, oh so many,
    are under God’s sentence of death”

then may we in the church feel the pain of it. Motivated by this understanding, let us pray, and commit ourselves to playing our own part in the great missionary movement we are going to read about next time.