ISAIAH 40 // SOVREIGN GOD, GENTLE SHEPHERD, A REAL LIFE // ROB SIMPSON
July 12, 2026
READ ISAIAH 40
Consider these questions when reflecting on this message:
The sermon gives the reason that we can trust the message that “God rescues His people”. The character of God Himself is why the message can be trusted. Vs 12-26
describe God – what verse impacted you the most? See Isaiah 6:1-4 – Where Isaiah first saw God and was called into ministry as a prophet. How did it impact Isaiah when he truly saw God?
In the same section of verses (vs12-26) Isaiah also describes man – comparing human frailty vs. divine majesty. He further shows that rulers and nations are less than nothing in God’s sight.
How does God’s absolute sovereignty over earthly powers impact your daily peace? How does it impact your prayer life?
Verses 10-11 show God as a strong, coming judge with a mighty arm, and, also show God as a gentle shepherd.
These verses, combined with vs12-26 – do they give you a balanced understanding of God and His character?
Read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12, where Isaiah prophetically writes about Jesus, giving several details of the life of Jesus: humble beginning, silent when falsely accused, even down to burial in a rich man’s grave. Most importantly, it describes exactly what happened to Jesus on the cross. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all”. It is in these verses where Isaiah clearly presents the Rescue that God provides through the Gentle Shepherd – Jesus.
Since these verses were written some 700 years before they were fulfilled, does this further increase your trust in the power of the Sovereign Lord – Sovereign over time and history? How does it show to you that God’s promise to rescue His people is absolutely trustworthy?
The sermon presents that we are to “wait upon the Lord” as something we actively participate in – rather than “doing nothing”.
What does this mean to you? How might it look in your life? Is the high view of Sovereign God and fulfilled promise of rescue by the Gentle Shepherd being increasingly reflected in your life as you exchange your weakness for His strength?