以賽亞書正像整本聖經的縮影，它的六十六章恰似新舊約的六十六卷書。以賽亞書前三十九章如同舊約三十九卷書一樣，都在宣告對罪人的審判，上帝極有耐心，卻不能容讓罪惡持續而不加以懲治。而今天的經文開始，以賽亞書後二十七章就如新約的二十七卷書一樣，都在宣告安慰與盼望的信息，彌賽亞即將降臨成為罪人的救主，所以：「你們的上帝說，你們要安慰，安慰我的百姓。」 (賽40：1)

        你必須有什麼樣的改變才會感到全然舒坦？在你覺得輕鬆愉快，完全不躭心世事之前，你需要有什麼改變？經濟狀況、健康情形、外表儀容或學業成績，那一項？
        「我必須付清所有的賬單！」但對明天才會到的新賬單你怎麼說？
        「我一定要在銀行存一筆錢！」但如果銀行破產，豈不是一切都損失？「我要擁有最好的健康狀況！」一旦你出了意外不能工作，可如何是好？
        你對上帝有多少信心，就會有多少輕鬆舒坦。長達三十九章的審判之後，以賽亞宣告「你們要安慰」的信息看似十分突兀──除非你想起是誰給予安慰！把以賽亞書四十章前五節寫在卡紙上，今晚放在枕旁，明早一醒來，讓它成為一天第一個安慰的思想，一整天上帝都會走在你前面──所以輕鬆一點吧，好好享受祂的同在！

安慰的篇章（賽40－66）
        雖然安慰的思想在前三十九章中只出現兩次（賽12：1；22：4）你卻會在這卷書的其餘部份發現到無數次(賽40：l-2；49：13；51：3、12、19；52：9；54：11；57：6；61：2；66：13)。

上帝愛祂的百姓，不論是擊打或是撫慰他們的時候，其愛皆然！

English

        The book of Isaiah has been likened to a miniature Bible, its 66 chapters paralleling the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah, like the 39-books of the Old Testament, proclaim judgment upon sinful mankind. God's patience is great, but He will not allow persistent sin to go unpunished. Beginning with today's section, the final 27 chapters of Isaiah, like the 27 books of the New Testament, proclaim a message of comfort and hope. The Messiah is coming to be the Savior of sinful people. Therefore, "'Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,' saith your God" (40:1).

        What would need to happen for you to feel totally comfortable? What would need to change about your finances, your job security, your relationships with other people, your health, your appearance, or your academic performance before you would be able to relax and feel totally at ease without a worry in the world?
        "I'd have to have all my bills paid!" But what about the new-ones that will certainly arrive tomorrow? "I'd have to have a fortune in the bank!" But what if the bank went bankrupt and you lost it all? "I'd have to enjoy perfect health!" But what if you were in an accident and lost your ability to work?
        The measure of your comfort will always be the measure of your confidence in God. For Isaiah to declare "Comfort ye" after 39 chapters of judgment would seem ludicrous—unless you recall who is providing the comfort! Type or print the first five verses of chapter 40 on a notecard, and put it under your pillow tonight. When you wake up tomorrow, let it be the first comforting thought of your day. God will go before you all day—so relax and enjoy His presence!

The Thoroughly Comfortable Chapters (40-66) —
        Though the idea of comfort is found only twice in the first 39 chapters (12:1; 22:4), you will find it numerous times in the balance of the book (40:1-2; 49:13; 51:3, 12, 19; 52:9', 54:11; 57:6; 61:2; 66:13).

I would rather work with God in the dark than go alone in the light.