Isaiah Chapter 40 in 2026

My people sit, broken,
In the wreck and ruin of the shattered remains

Of a life they were convinced 

Was what I had planned for their future. 

Speak words of comfort to them.

Wrap my children in your arms

And weep with them for a future that can never be.

Run your fingers through their hair,

Squeeze them tight, 

And let them know everything is going to be okay. 

Now is not the time for "I told you so"

Or to remind them of their debts still owed. 

God says that whatever balance might have remained

Is officially paid in full. 

They'll hear my cries of preparation,

Not in the high rises and seats of power and influence,

But in the wild places, barren and unruly, 

Where most people wouldn't bother to go.

Those are the places God loves to show up most often. 

Let the people know that God is going to level the playing field:

The powerful will be brought down, 

The lowly will be lifted up,

And every obstacle that might keep you from me

Is going to be removed. 

On that day, God's glory will be revealed, 

And all will stand as equals before their creator. 

What will God's voice be saying when you hear it?

That putting your trust in people 

Instead of in the Spirit of the living God

Is like expecting permanency from things

That will be here today and gone tomorrow. 

If you want to tell my people what to expect, 

Tell them that God is coming:

That his strength is more than enough for the weak,

And that he will provide for the needy. 

That with the compassion of a shepherd

He will draw his people into a tender embrace

And carry us close to his heart. 

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

God will always be here for his children.

He created us, he loves us, 

And he is a good father who watches over us. 

He never grows tired of loving us.

He never wearies of watching over us.

Those who hope in the Lord will never hope in vain,

And his children can never outrun his love.