A Ministry 

John 1 & Isaiah 40 

John the Baptist found his calling to ministry in Isaiah 40. This prompts me to ask, “Lord, what ministry have you called me to?” Maybe I can get some guidance from Isaiah 40.  

Here are some passages from Isaiah’s call.  This is the prophetical calling to John the Baptist but it can also be a calling to us: 

• “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. Speak kindly to Israel and call out to her, warfare has ended, and your iniquity has been removed.” Are you drawn to a ministry of comfort, encouragement and kindness? 
• “A voice says, ‘call out.’” “Get yourself on a high mountain, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear.” Are you called to a ministry of speaking, sharing, singing? In some way using your voice and sharing the message of good news to the lost? 
• “Say to the cities, ‘Here is your God’”. Are you called to a ministry of teaching; of lifting up the breadth and depth of God; of explaining His Word? This is what I believe my calling is. 

Is there a personal calling to you in these verses? 

• “Speak kindly to Jerusalem. 
• “What shall I call out? All flesh is like grass and like the flower of the fields; the grass withers, the flower fades, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER!” 
• “Say to the cities of Judah, HERE IS YOUR GOD!” 

In whatever calling to ministry you follow, God gives this amazing promise: 

“He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases power…Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” 

Is this our message? God is here! He brings forgiveness! His Word is sure and true! He gives strength and power to the weak and the humble. HERE IS YOUR GOD! 

Lord, you have called me to a ministry of proclaiming your greatness and bring comfort and kindness to your followers. May I speak words of kindness, speak words of hope; words that announce that sin has damaged your life, but there is hope, there is forgiveness and peace. “Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion…He will bring joy and gladness, thanksgiving and sound of a melody.” 

Lord, do I represent you as “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort”? Shake me out of my complacency, open my eyes and heart to those around me, give me the words to speak to them and that bring comfort. Here I am Lord, use me. Amen