How can we prepare for the Lord's coming as described in Isaiah 40:10? Setting the scene in Isaiah 40:10 “See, the Lord GOD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.” (Isaiah 40:10) The prophet announces a personal arrival of the Almighty. He will come visibly, powerfully, and justly, bringing both reward and recompense. The passage calls every generation to prepare, because this same Lord will come again in glory (Revelation 22:12). The character of the coming Lord • Unstoppable power: “His arm rules for Him.” • Perfect justice: “His recompense accompanies Him.” • Gracious generosity: “His reward is with Him.” Knowing who is coming shapes how preparation looks. Practical steps for heart preparation • Repent and believe the gospel, just as John the Baptist urged when citing Isaiah 40:3 (Matthew 3:2–3). • Fix hope fully on Christ’s appearing. “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13) • Cultivate purity. “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) Practical steps for lifestyle preparation • Live holy and godly lives. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, as you wait for and hasten the coming day of God.” (2 Peter 3:11–12) • Serve faithfully with the gifts entrusted. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom the master has put in charge… Blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing so when he comes.” (Matthew 24:45–46) • Keep lamps burning with spiritual vigilance. “Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit.” (Luke 12:35) Practical steps for community preparation • Comfort and strengthen one another. Isaiah 40 begins, “Comfort, comfort My people” (v. 1). Mutual encouragement keeps hearts steady. • Proclaim the good news. “Go up on a high mountain… say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’” (Isaiah 40:9) The church echoes this by preaching Christ crucified and risen. • Pursue justice and mercy. Knowing the Lord’s perfect justice is coming motivates believers to model it now (Micah 6:8). Living in confident expectancy • The Lord’s coming is certain and near; delay only reveals His patience (2 Peter 3:9). • His arrival will vindicate faith, reward obedience, and right every wrong. • Steadfast preparation flows from daily love for Him who first loved us, until “the grace of God… trains us to live sober, righteous, and godly lives… while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11–13) |
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