READ: ISAIAH 1:15-18; 57:15-21; EPHESIANS 2:1-13; 5:25-27

Some people have called the book of Isaiah the Gospel of the Old Testament. At first glance though, you might wonder why. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John start off the New Testament by recounting Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection on earth. But Isaiah starts out with a vision God gave him that points out the sins of the Israelites and pleads with them to return to the Lord. God offers redemption and forgiveness to His people if they would only turn back to Him. Roughly half of the book is like this, then the tone switches and chapter forty begins with the words “‘Comfort, comfort my people,’ says your God” (Isaiah 40:1).

The prophecies and visions in the first part of the book were for Israel when they had turned their back on God and gone after idols. Then the nations of Assyria and Babylon swept down upon Israel and hauled the people off in chains. In the latter half of Isaiah, God sends comfort to His people while they’re in captivity, promising not only that they would one day return to their own land, but that a new heaven and a new earth was being made.

Throughout Isaiah, God gives many promises about the forgiveness of sins and the Messiah He would send to save them. The Israelites didn’t have to wallow in their sins. They could come to God and be washed from their sins. In a way, we’re like the Israelites in the book of Isaiah. We’re in the same situation, but now the Messiah, Jesus, has come! We don’t need to continue in our sins and stay covered in guilt and shame. When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we can be free from those chains and return to God. He loves us with an unending love, and He promises to comfort us and give us peace in His presence. Jesus is waiting to wash away our sins so we can be made new. Then we’ll hear God speaking comfort to us as the gospel does its work in us. • Morgan Mitchell

• Have you ever felt burdened by sin? Have you ever experienced God’s grace and forgiveness comforting you? What was that like? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 32.)

• In what ways are you in need of forgiveness and comfort today? Consider spending some time with Jesus in prayer, confessing any sins that come to mind and resting in His love and grace. Remember, if you’ve put your trust in Jesus, all your sins have been forgiven—past, present, and future. He loves you, and He wants to help you walk in freedom. (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.)

“I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)