The nation of Israel spent years wandering away from God and choosing ways contrary to His.

Eventually, this led them into exile and a time where they felt afflicted from all sides. Yet, in their rebellion and the difficult situations into which they had gotten themselves, God still sent them His prophets.

One of those prophets was Isaiah. While plenty of messages warned Israel of what would come if they continued to walk in rebellion, Isaiah also delivered messages of hope and comfort.

Isaiah 49 is one of the messages of hope.

This message says that God still chooses and desires to save His people. It describes a Servant (Jesus) who will redeem the nation and draw the people back together to God. It also beautifully says that the Lord will comfort and will have compassion on His afflicted people (Isaiah 49:13).

We have a God who desires to comfort His people. He does not turn away from us even when we turn away from Him. He wants to gather us to Himself, console us, and have compassion on us.

How beautiful to realize the restoration God seeks to give to His people, and to understand that part of restoring His people is to comfort them.