Text: Isaiah 40:9–11
O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.
Devotion
God wants this to be shouted aloud in the world: “Behold your God!” so that people should wake up and take note of the Lord’s work. For their sleep is deep; Satan has anesthetized their souls. But God’s Word is powerful to wake them. Lift up your voice, you who bring good tidings to Zion, you servants of the Lord, climb up high, and cry out over the cities. Don’t be afraid, for the message you bring is good, better than Jonah’s in Nineveh.1 You have to proclaim the victory of the Stronger over the strong (Luk 11:22) and the salvation of souls by His mighty arm. Jesus has conquered the devil, and behold, here He is with the reward He won: life and salvation for us lost souls. Wake up, people, and see Him. He leads death and hell captive in His triumph and goes forth to extend His kingdom over all the earth. Wake up, He has already brought the work of life to your heart, the miracle of regeneration and sanctification.
The people He won and owns, He tends to with great care. He feeds, heals, leads, and carries them with a faithful shepherd’s love. The weak lambs He gathers in His arm and carries them in His bosom. Do you hear it, poor sinners? In the Lord’s arm and bosom, your place is by Jesus’ heart. That’s where you should be, – not under the devil’s feet! But those who serve Him in the Church by feeding and tending His lambs, can especially count on His leadership, for it says in particular: “He shall lead those who are with young.” – Gloriously and well He does it for His own. He uses His great power in the service of His eternal love for their salvation. Their names are inscribed on His hands with the nails of the cross (Isa 49:16). O how zealous He is for their salvation! Lift up your voice with strength, and let your good message be heard in all the world! Do not be afraid and do not be ashamed, but by God’s power suffer evil for the sake of the Gospel.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, make Your witnesses brave and zealous, and give them power to lift up their voice over the cities of Judah, so that those who sleep are wakened, and the faithful are strengthened. We thank You for Your heavenly Shepherd’s care for us unworthy souls, and we know that according to Your promise You will defend us and sustain us. Praised be Your name! Amen.
Hymn
Shepherd of souls, true God and Man,
Who can Your love e’er fathom,
Which must be praised in ev’ry land,
By faithful and by heathen?
You had the rule of heaven fair
As heritage and treasure;
How can the whole world e’er compare
To glory without measure?
You were Your Father’s joy for aye
And now become our Savior;
You came to earth a while to stay,
And Satan’s pow’r must waver.
The greatest joy You ever took
In leading us to freedom
From sin and Satan’s heavy yoke
Into Your blessed kingdom.
Our flesh and blood You did put on,
A Servant’s form then wearing,
Both pain and death You’ve undergone,
With us Your glory sharing.
I know the way to heaven’s cheer
From which I ne’er must wander,
You are the Way, sweet Jesus, dear,
I follow You with wonder.
Kingo: O Sjæle Hyrde Gud og Mand L 372:1-5; Nu ved jeg Vei til Himmerig 373:1 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Jeg ved et evigt Himmerig (LHy 523); alternate hymn: Jesus, I my cross have taken ELH 424:2