In this video, Dr. Derek Thomas describes the comfort Christians can find in the book of Isaiah.
How can Isaiah comfort Christians today? Well, in the first 39 chapters, that’s probably a little difficult, especially in chapters 13—37 that are principally judgments of God, that will get the people of God into Babylonian captivity for their disobedience. But the second half of Isaiah from chapter 40–66 is just a marvelous depiction of the gospel. Isaiah is referred to as the “evangelical prophet.”
And so, [these chapters] are full of statements about God’s sovereignty to keep His people even through the Babylonian exile. Prophecies of Cyrus in chapter 45, the Persian emperor who will grant them release to return to Jerusalem. The depictions of the Suffering Servant—who is Jesus—in chapters 42, 49, 52, 53, and so on. These beautiful depictions of the Savior who will save us from our sins. And then in the closing chapters of Isaiah, a glimpse of the new heavens and new earth.
So, if you really want to be encouraged and you’re passing through trials, there are forty to fifty texts in the second half of Isaiah that are designed to reassure and comfort and give you courage in God’s faithfulness to His people.