Psalm 40:1-2 Comfort Ye My People

Isaiah 40:1-2 (KJV)  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.  2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. 

The prophet Isaiah brings the message to Israel concerning their impending deportation and their ultimate return to the land again. It was the Lord’s chastening that brought their captivity – she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.

And yet we are told that her iniquity is pardoned. This is the message of comfort – Hebrews 12:11 (KJV)  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

This is the message of comfort for the downcast under the yoke of God’s chastisement – Hebrews 12:12-13 (KJV)  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;  13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.  Amen.