Prayer for All Members Based on Dr. Jonathan Akin’s Message, December 4, 2022 Isaiah 40:1-11
Savior-Shepherd, Tough and Tender

Introduction: Even though we are captive to our sin, God says to us, I love you, and I am going to bring you home. That is the story of the Old Testament, and that is the story of Christmas, all pointing to Christ to rescue us. Christmas comforts us with the good news that God is a tough and tender Savior.

Receiving the Good News:

In Isaiah 40, God tells Isaiah to comfort and speak tenderly to His people, and He gives seven actions that He will do:

1. He is going to defeat our enemies. (1-2a) ...cry to her that her warfare is ended...
   Just as He defeated Israel’s enemies, God will defeat all our spiritual enemies: Satan, the curse, sin, death. All will be defeated by Jesus Christ.

2. He is going to forgive our sins. (2b) ...that her iniquity is pardoned...
   We are sinners who need our sins forgiven. Jesus came to make atonement for our sins.

3. He is going to bring us home. (3-4) ...make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
   Just as God rescued His people in the Exodus to a new home, so Jesus, as announced by John the Baptist, will remove every obstacle and bring His people home. We need to prepare by repenting of our sins.

4. He is going to move in with His people. (5) And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed... In the Old Testament, God was visibly with His people in the Shekinah glory. Then came Immanuel, God with us: Jesus is God’s glory revealed, come to live with us forever.

5. He is going to keep His promise. (6-8) ...the word of our God will stand forever.
   We are mortal, but God is eternal, and what He says will stand forever. We can trust His truth and promise.

6. He is going to receive His reward. (9-10) ...behold, his reward is with him...
   With great power He will rescue us, and His reward is the people He has rescued. We now belong to Him.

7. He is going to shepherd His flock. (11) ...he will gather the lambs in his arms...
   He is a gentle and fierce Shepherd. He leads us, guides us, feeds us, and brings us home.

Lord God, thank You for being our tough and tender Shepherd! Please help us receive comfort in Your saving power, Your forgiveness, Your giving us a home with you, Your sure promise, our being Your treasured reward, and Your tender care for us.

Responding to the Good News:
How do we apply the truth of our Savior-Shepherd to our lives?

1. Confess. We have a Savior, so we can confess our sins and repent.

2. Believe. Believe His proclamation and let the eternal truth bring comfort to your life.

3. Declare. Announce to all the story of the ages, the story of Christmas: Jesus has come to rescue us,

   bring us home, and give us rest.

Father, please lead us to receive Your forgiveness, trust Your promise, and proclaim to all the good news that You have come to rescue us and bring us home.