“A Mother’s Comfort”
Isaiah 66:1-14
Introduction:
“the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Introduction:
“the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
“You brought me out of the womb. You made me trust in You even at my mother's breast. 10 From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God” (Psalm 22:9-10).
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
I. Eternal Concentration vs. 1-2
“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. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.”
“a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
“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. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.”
“a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zephaniah 2:3). “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
II. Eternal Consequences vs. 3-6
“"But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; 4 so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in My sight and chose what displeases Me." 5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: "Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of My name, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see Your joy!' Yet they will be put to shame. 6 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying His enemies all they deserve.”
Psalm 5:4-6, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong. 6 You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.”
“He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 … He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31, NAS).
“"But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; 4 so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in My sight and chose what displeases Me." 5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: "Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of My name, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see Your joy!' Yet they will be put to shame. 6 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying His enemies all they deserve.”
Psalm 5:4-6, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong. 6 You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.”
“He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 … He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31, NAS).
Revelation 16:6 (NAS), “They deserve it!”
Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
“All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people” (Romans 10:21).
“All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people” (Romans 10:21).
III. Eternal Comfort vs. 7-14
“"Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. 8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. 9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. 10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." 12 For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. 13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." 14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes.”
Acts 16:5, “The churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”
Hebrews 12:22-23, “Mount Zion … the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God … 23 … the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.”
“"Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. 8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. 9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. 10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." 12 For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. 13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." 14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes.”
Acts 16:5, “The churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”
Hebrews 12:22-23, “Mount Zion … the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God … 23 … the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.”
“the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:6).
“Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." 15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:13-15).
“The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).
“Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." 15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:13-15).
“The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).
“a scroll of remembrance … written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name. 17 "They will be Mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 .. distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not” (Malachi 3:16-18).
Acts 9:31, “the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Acts 9:31, “the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Conclusion:
“the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes.”
“May Your unfailing love be my comfort … 77 Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:76-77). “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger” (Romans 2:8).
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
“the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes.”
“May Your unfailing love be my comfort … 77 Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:76-77). “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger” (Romans 2:8).
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
