Rest for the Weary: Comfort in Time of Crisis

Isaiah 40:1-11 (NRSV)  Comfort, O comfort my people,    says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,     and cry to her that she has served her term,     that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand     double for all her sins.  A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;     make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be lifted up,     and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level,     and the rough places a plain.  Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,     and all flesh shall see it together,     for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  A voice says, "Cry out!"     And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass;     their constancy is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers; the flower fades,     when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;     surely the people are grass.  The grass withers; the flower fades,     but the word of our God will stand forever.  Get you up to a high mountain,     O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength,     O Jerusalem, herald of good news;     lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah,     "Here is your God!"  See, the Lord God comes with might,     and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him     and his recompense before him.  He will feed his flock like a shepherd;     he will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom     and gently lead the mother sheep.