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This morning we have come to the final sermon in our advent series. Turn again to Isaiah 40. We’ll be looking at verses 10-11. We began in verse 1 looking at God’s desire to comfort his people. He does so by calling his prophet to speak with compassion and confidence. We have seen God’s call to his people to prepare the way of the Lord. Hardened hearts must be softened and condemned hearts must be lifted up. We have seen that the fickleness and unreliable nature of mankind stands in stark contrast to God’s steadfast word. And yet, last week, we noted that God grants the treasure of the gospel to be delivered by the mouths of unworthy men. The message “Behold your God!” is to be heralded from the tops of the mountains. Now, in verses 10-11 we see something of the nature of that God.
Before we read this passage let us look to the Lord in prayer for his help in understanding it.
Isaiah 40:1-11
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” 10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
This is the Word of the LORD.
Sermon Intro
Have you ever taken a moment to consider the contrast of the Christmas Story? We behold the Creator King coming into the world as an infant. He gives up his riches and glory in heaven to take on the humble nature of a poor child. We sung about this contrast earlier. The same child that was sleeping in Mary’s lap, was greeted by angels and guarded by shepherds. Jesus entered this world as a helpless infant, and yet his authority was a threat to Herod who tried to murder him.
Christ’s ministry is one of strength and gentleness. These two contrasting ideas are combined in the story of Christmas, and they reveal something of the character of our God. We see them in verses 10 and 11 as well. The emphasis in verse 10 is the Lord God who comes with might and a ruling arm. Then in verse 11 we see the gentleness of a loving shepherd. Robert Hawker comments, “For here are the well known character-offices of Christ. Will enemies oppose them? the Lord’s strong arm shall cast them down. Are Jesus’s sheep weak and tender? His compassion will be suited for them.”[1]
This morning we will consider three qualities of the God we are told to behold. First, we will consider how He Comes With Might (10a). Second, we’ll see that He Comes With Reward (10b). And third, we will note how He Comes With Gentleness (11).
The Sovereign Shepherd Comes With Might (10a)
The message of the Lord God coming with might would not have been a fearful thing. The original hearer would have welcomed the message because it would have served as a reminder that their exile would come to an end. Babylon would not conquer the Jewish people.
They would have reminded them of the God who delivered them out of Egypt with “a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” The arm of the Lord makes an appearance in several places in Deuteronomy where Moses is retelling the story of God’s deliverance from Egypt and giving of the Torah, God’s Law (Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; 26:8). The Lord’s arm represents his strength. Isaiah utilizes this metaphor more often than any other prophet. It was a reminder they needed to hear as they prepared to enter into a long season of captivity.
In Christ’s first coming we see this power in the subdued form of an infant. The power displayed in Christ’s ministry was much more spiritual than physical. Although he does overturn the moneychanging tables that were located in the temple and boldly confronts the religious leaders, in general, Christ’s ministry at his first coming was one of submission to the wicked authorities. Rather than coming in judgment, he came to bear the judgment of God on our behalf.
But Christ is coming again, and as he reigns over the hearts of his people now, he will reign as Lord over all the earth. The Lord will again come in strength and finally defeat all who stand in opposition. The picture of God’s might is on full display in the book of Revelation which provides a picture of Christ’s return.
We do know something of God’s might even now. At the cross our sin debt was paid. Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col. 2:14-15). The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question (Q.26): “How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.”
Isaiah is calling us to trust in God’s might! Do you find it hard to rely upon others? Are you sufficient to handle all of the problems in your life? Maybe you strive to be strong and independent. You have a difficult time letting others help you. Some of us are like this in certain situations, but others of you are like this all the time. No one is allowed to pitch in. You have things under control.
To trust in God’s strength, you must come to terms with your weakness. What does that mean? It means that asking for help will not be humiliating, but empowering. Instead of feeling embarrassed when you have to rely upon someone else you will be capable of simply saying “thank you.”
It also means that you won’t be limited in what you attempt to accomplish. When you are trusting in a great God, you attempt great things for God. So admitting your weakness, has the paradoxical effect of making you stronger in the Lord.
Lastly—the fact that God has come in his might through the person and work of Jesus Christ—you can accept the victory He has won on your behalf. Behold your God! He comes with might. You can stop battling your demons! You can stop aimlessly throwing punches in the dark! Your greatest enemies, sin and death, have no more power over you.
We know the Lord is not going to use his strength here for judgment because…
The Sovereign Shepherd Comes With Reward (10b)
In the second part of verse 10 we behold God coming to us with reward. These rewards are the fulfillment of God’s promises to his covenant people. They are the rewards of salvation (see 62:11). They are the spoils of the war Christ won on the cross. The rewards of freedom, security, victory, and rest. The rewards of our justification, sanctification, and glorification as we have been learning about in our Sunday School class these past two months.
Jesus says something similar in Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” That repayment is a blessings to his children who have persevered to the end. It is also a judgment upon those who have rejected him. But this passage from Isaiah focuses in on the reward side of Christ’s coming. Those rewards were won in his first coming and they will find their consummation at his return.
We have come to the end of another year. We’re wrapping up a week filled with materialism and excessive idolatry. I’m sure many of you know someone who refuses to participate in the exchanging of gifts during Christmas. Or, if they do participate, it is with much complaining about the over-commercialization of the holiday. They would prefer we get rid of it altogether. Now, of course, most of us would agree that materialism is a problem in America and it is modeled most obviously from Black Friday until Christmas. But gifts and rewards are not the enemy here. The practice of exchanging gifts is really an excellent picture of the anticipation and joy that fills the heart of believers at the thought of Christ’s return.
This verse is a call to rejoice in his reward! Do you constantly have your focus on the next step that you fail to enjoy the progress you’ve made to this point? Is it hard for you to appreciate the victories because you are so afraid that failure is right around the corner? Do you realize you are chasing something that only God can satisfy?
To rejoice in God’s generosity, you must declare your bankruptcy. You cannot earn his favor. The joy and satisfaction you are seeking in your life, family, or career, can only be found in Christ. Are you able to enjoy your salvation, or does it always feel like you are on the verge of backsliding into unbelief? When you stop trying to earn your salvation, you will be filled with such unspeakable joy.
Do you read your bible out of fear or a desire to grow in Christ? A Bible Reading Program can quickly devolve into a giant burden if you tell yourself that faithfulness to the program determines whether or not God accepts you. But when you recognize the depth of God’s mercy you will delight to know him more.
The dilemma is that we begin to serve God for his gifts. Oftentimes we seek the gift over the Giver. We make his reward our focus and what we find is that our lives become wrapped up in the pursuit of happiness, security, and success. But we don’t realize that all along—had we pursued Christ—we would have found lasting fulfillment; a deep satisfaction that cannot be taken away.
If going to church, or reading your bible, or praying with your family is a burden for you…I urge you to consider this point more carefully. You probably have not declared bankruptcy. You’re still holding onto that credit card, telling yourself you’re rich, when in reality your net worth is tens of thousands of dollars in the red.
Behold your God! His reward is with him, overflowing, but you must come to him empty-handed and ready to receive. “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling.”
We have seen that our Lord comes in might, and he comes bearing rewards, and now we see that…
The Sovereign Shepherd Comes With Gentleness (11)
As we come to verse 11 the mood changes from one of strength to tenderness. The mighty king becomes a gentle shepherd. We see the same Hebrew word for arm in this verse, only instead of ruling his arm is gathering together, carrying, and gently leading his lambs. The Hebrew verb translated “to carry” is the same one we see in verse 4 for lifting up the valleys.
He is the good shepherd (John 10:11) who provides for us and cares for us. He seeks us out and finds us when we are lost. He feeds us with his word. He restores us when we are weak. He heals us when we are wounded. So we see the image of the shepherd lifting us out of our valleys of despair and carrying us close to his heart.
You see something like this in The Patriot. There is the scene where his daughter quits speaking and then as he is returning to the war she breaks her silence and comes running to him crying, “I’ll say anything, just don’t go.” It is a heartbreaking scene. And what makes it all the more touching is that we get a real glimpse into the gentle and tender side of this physically and emotionally strong man.
We have the promise of ?: “A smoking flax he will not snuff out, and a bruised reed he will not break.” This verse is helpful in times of depression, doubt, and fear. We must be broken before we can be healed. 2 Cor. 12:9 tells us that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak He is strong.
Isaiah 40:11 is calling us to rest in the bosom of our sovereign shepherd! Do you feel the pressure to prove yourself to God? Do you have a false sense of autonomy, self-sufficiency? Is “rest” even a word in your vocabulary? Work should be rewarding but not all-consuming. If you find it difficult to take a break, or enjoy a vacation, you may find this last section hard to accept.
To rest in God’s gentle leading, you must feel your brokenness. Are you willing to admit that your hard exterior is merely a facade? Can you admit that much of the time you are walking around trying to be someone you know you aren’t?
Behold your God! He longs to lift you up and carry you in his arms. Will you let him? Let your fears be stilled and your strivings cease.
How does the church promote this hopeful picture in a world that is filled with idolatry and materialism? How does the church enter the needs of the community and the needs within her own Christian community and provide a safe haven of rest? The broader church community, at times, seems more interested in entertaining than preaching the truth of God’s word.
In the first sermon John Piper preached at the inaugural Together for the Gospel conference, he was speaking to the lack of authoritative voices in pulpits today. He speaks of the tendency for preaching to become sentimental entertainment rather than the proclamation of Christ’s supremacy over all things. At one point he says, (paraphrase) “If the church fails to preach the powerful truth of Christ, who will? Veggietales?”
I agree with Marva Dawn, who says “The reason that the Christian community does not grow is not because our worship services aren’t entertaining enough (as many clergy mistakenly think these days), but because the process has been truncated. Lambs are growing up without becoming parents.” In other words, they have not been faithfully discipled by the church.
How is God shepherding you?
Conclusion
Weak, poor, and broken people need a strong, generous, and gentle Savior. And the good news is that is exactly who came to our rescue in the form of an infant more than 2000 years ago. His death and resurrection defeated his and our enemies so that we might trust in his might. He became poor—giving up the riches of glory—in order that we might become rich. And like a shepherd, our Savior carries us in his loving embrace.
Join us for our Winter Study: Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?
Join us for Sunday School next week which will be a great contrast to this sobering text. We see the emphasis upon the joy of the Christian life. And the context of Philippians is quite telling, because it isn’t as if Paul’s circumstances were bright and rosy. He was writing from prison.

[1] Hawker, Robert. Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Proverbs–Lamentations. Vol. 5. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2013.