Study Desk

"Comfort, comfort My people," says your God.

A voice is calling, "Make the way ready for the Lord in the desert. Make the road in the desert straight for our God.

The grass dries up. The flower loses its color. But the Word of our God stands forever.

O Zion, you who bring good news, go up on the high mountain! Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, you who bring good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!"

See, the Lord God will come with power, and His arm will rule for Him. See, He is bringing the reward He will give to everyone for what he has done.

To Whom then is God like? What will you compare Him with?

An able workman makes a false god. A man who works with gold covers it with gold. And a man who works with silver makes silver chains for it.

He who is too poor to give such a gift, picks out a tree that will not waste away. He finds an able workman to set up a false god that will not be moved.

It is God Who sits on the throne above the earth. The people living on the earth are like grasshoppers. He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He spreads them out like a tent to live in.

O Jacob and Israel, why do you say, "My way is hidden from the Lord. My God does not think about my cause"?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know.

Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.

For I am the Lord your God Who holds your right hand, and Who says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.'

"The suffering and those in need look for water, but there is none. Their tongue is dry with thirst. I the Lord will answer them. I the God of Israel will not leave them alone.

This is what God the Lord Who made the heavens and spread them out and Who spread out the earth and what comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk in it, says,

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you. I have given Egypt as pay for your life, and have traded Cush and Seba for you.

"You can speak for Me," says the Lord. "You are My servant whom I have chosen so that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. No God was made before Me, and there will be none after Me.

I have spoken and saved and have made things known, and there was no strange god among you. You can speak for Me," says the Lord, "and I am God.

I am God and always will be. No one is able to take anything out of My hand. I do something, and who can change it?"

The Lord, the King of Israel and the One Who saves and frees from sin, the Lord of All, says, "I am the first and I am the last. There is no God besides Me.