Read Isaiah 40:1-11

There is no more intimate picture in Isaiah 40 than this. God doesn’t just guide from a distance—He carries you. He holds you close. He draws you near to His beating heart. In seasons of waiting, when your legs feel shaky and your hope feels thin, this is the promise you need most. You are not expected to walk alone. The God of the universe gathers you into His embrace and carries you through what you cannot carry yourself.

Lambs are vulnerable. They wander easily. They tire quickly. They can’t protect themselves. God doesn’t despise weakness—He moves toward it with compassion. When you feel weary or uncertain, He doesn’t demand more effort. He doesn’t tell you to toughen up. He lifts you. He carries your weight. He keeps you close so you can hear His heart beating for you. Advent reminds you that God is not far off. His nearness is not symbolic—it is personal, embodied, and real in Jesus.

Jesus is the Shepherd who came for you. He didn’t wait for you to find Him; He came to seek and save. His birth in Bethlehem was God’s declaration that He would not leave you to navigate life alone. His arms stretched out on the cross so you could be held forever in His grace. His resurrection ensures that nothing—no waiting, no weakness, no fear—can separate you from His love. You are carried, not abandoned.

As you close this first week of Advent, remember that waiting is not a test of your strength. It is an invitation to rest in His. You don’t have to force hope, manufacture peace, or pretend to be strong. You can lean into the arms that already hold you. When you can’t see what God is doing, trust that He is carrying you toward His good purposes. His heart for you is gentle. His grip on you is steady. And His presence is closer than you think.

Reflection Questions:

• What does the image of God carrying you reveal about His character?
  
• In what areas of life do you feel most vulnerable or weary right now?
  
• How does knowing Jesus as your Shepherd change the way you wait?
  
• What would it look like to rest in His strength instead of your own?

Journaling Prompt:

Picture yourself being carried by Jesus. Write about what you hear, feel, or sense in His nearness and how it comforts you today.