Are you looking for comfort in troubled times? The troubled times of this fallen world follow us wherever we go and impact each of us in different ways.

Whether you are troubled by personal relationships, inner emptiness, political controversies, or any of a myriad of possibilities, our Lord has provided strength for the weary in the closing chapters of the Book of Isaiah.

This short book digs deep into the comfort that God has provided for us there, through the words of Scripture explained to us by respected pastor and scholar Derek Thomas.

Derek Thomas reinforces again for us in this devotionally-oriented study who we really need to deliver us from the wearying troubles of this world. He has a kind and pastoral way of conveying biblical truth to his readers, which I find most helpful.

In the first half of the book, Dr. Thomas paints the historical setting God’s people were facing when Isaiah wrote his prophecy. What we find as we work our way through the passages of Isaiah, is that while the external circumstances for Israel in those days were different from our own, the troubles and temptations they faced are very similar to what we confront in our own day.

The words “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God,” in Isaiah 40:1 introduce the last half of the book of Isaiah. This comes on the heels of words of judgment in Isaiah 39, describing the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

God’s people needed comfort in the face of exile and destruction. Israel was being judged by God because Israel was trusting in their own efforts to deliver themselves from their political enemies instead of having faith in God. They had replaced God with trust in men, and their pride had replaced humility. Israel had to be brought low, in order to turn their eyes upward.

Dr. Thomas makes the application to us on page 7, “A similar gloom may descend on us in very different circumstances. When a husband or wife is suddenly taken away by death or walks out of a marriage for another; when the security of a job is threatened and we are thrown into the fog of an uncertain future; when relationships turn sour or dreams and aspirations are shattered, it may seem that God has forgotten us, too. And this is where the consolations of Isaiah 40 have timeless value. There is comfort for me in my situation.”

This is a pattern Dr. Thomas follows throughout the remainder of the book. He takes passages from Isaiah, including the climax of Isaiah 53, where the Suffering Servant who “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 55:5) is held up as the one who brings the waters of life and is the true comfort for God’s people (Isaiah 55:1). In this, Dr. Thomas appropriately points us to Jesus Christ as Savior.

The book culminates with a dramatic look at Isaiah 65 and 66 and our ultimate destination and home. We learn that just as God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1, in the future, God will again create. This time, he will create a new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 65:17-18).

This new creation will be a new city composed of the community of glorified believers. A place free of the trauma of pain and suffering; a place where all creation exists in perfect harmony and communion. It’s hard for us to fathom such a world.

In the final two pages Dr. Thomas urges us to live our lives in this world in light of the future God has secured for us in Christ, “Live for that which lasts. Don’t be satisfied with things that ultimately have no value . . . Giving yourself to things that ultimately have no lasting value will ultimately destroy you. Instead, and by the grace of God, give yourself to what really lasts; the new heavens and new earth. This alone provides strength for the weary.”

I’m writing this review during a time of particular political upheaval in our country. I found this book relevant and comforting for our times as it focused my heart on the One who is our Deliverer and Savior, and so caused me to reassess and direct my thinking accordingly. I highly recommend it.