Comfort and Joy

by Matt Searles

Under dark skies in Jerusalem, an old man called Simeon is waiting. He lives in a land of shadow, but he longs for Isaiah’s age-old prophecies to be promises of hope, of salvation, of a suffering servant, and ultimately of God himself come to dwell with his people. Then, one day, he holds a baby in his arms, and knows he may depart in peace. In Jesus, all these promises are being fulfilled. These 25 short devotions will take you through Isaiah 40-55, with a reading, a short reflection, questions for meditation, and suggestions for prayer. Join with Simeon this advent in meditating on Isaiah’s ‘book of comfort’, and have your hearts lifted as you behold our king in his beauty.

Genres: Devotional, Christian, Christmas, Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2023

Reviews

[Caroline Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite Advent devotional. A wonderful walk through the servant songs of Isaiah, reminding us of who Jesus is, why He came, and the hope He we have in Him. While the "nativity passages" are wonderful, it can be easy to fall into the trap of familiarity and lose focus, so using a different portion of Scripture was helpful for me. Highly recommend this for anyone struggling at the Christmas season.

[Keziah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this devotional - not every day had a direct application to Christmas, but it helped me see more the splendour and yet gentleness of God, and await His return more eagerly!

[bex 🌱 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a comforting and joyful december read!

[Julie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful! Comfort & Joy from Isaiah, explained by Matt Searles in plain English. He asks those questions that most of us ask, especially during hard seasons, & shows how it is relevant for us today. I loved this book & thoroughly recommend anyone to read it, even not in Advent!

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked through two Advent books this December, and enjoyed them both very much.

This one stays firmly with the Old Testament prophet Isaiah exploring his insights from Chapter 40 ('Comfort, comfort my people...') to Chapter 55 ('You will go out in joy, and be led forth in peace...') – hence, 'comfort and joy'.

Covering passages often referred to as the 'servant songs', Matt Searles carefully and thoughtfully unpacks ancient words, giving them context as well as contemporary meaning and application. He's done a great job, often giving me food for thought without getting bogged down in references to details beyond the main thrust of the story of Jesus' birth. The promised Messiah came at last, but the waiting – which is the essence of Advent – wasn't easy.

I chose this book(unusually) based purely on the beautiful cover, but it's been refreshing to be drawn into the Advent season through just these old prophecies. The daily readings and reflections are interspersed with double spreads echoing the cover and including words from various well-known carols. I know this is a book I will come back to in other years.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little late finishing this Advent book, but a wonderful addition to my contemplation of Christmas and Isaiah 40-55. Often Advent "devotionals" can be forgettable and fluffy. This one is not. Not to say it was a difficult read but to say that it's daily contemplation of these chapters of Isaiah had real content. It begins with the comfort of God coming to dwell with his people (40:1) and ends with the joy of God's people going to dwell with him forever in joy (55:12-13)

[Emily Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this advent reading follows a larger passage of scripture through all 25 days. This year I just read through the passage and the corresponding chapters but in future years it could be taken deeper by doing further study on Isaiah along with the readings. My one disappointment was that the author did not include a Christmas carol with each chapter which I always think is a beautiful end to an advent reading.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best Advent devotional I've used. Matt Searles is great at writing these kind of reflections. We gave out copies at church too, and had very positive feedback, so this is not just my opinion!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back in Isaiah 40-55 in the run up to Christmas. Excellent set of advent devotions that helped me to meditate on who God is: His character, power and salvation, and how we see this supremely in the Lord Jesus.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advent devotions from Isaiah 40-55. Great stuff. Would love to read a longer book on Isaiah by Matt!

[David Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and interesting series of short studies from Isaiah. Perfect for Advent.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful study of Isaiah 40 - 55 during Advent. An amazing, thought-provoking study & meditations. Would thoroughly recommend.

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent advent series of musings on the servant songs, the chapters of Isaiah that tell us about the coming Messiah, very uplifting.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this. My heart has been deeply encouraged. Jesus - my ultimate comfort and joy!

[Simon Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Christmas devotional that gets you to read through Isaiah 40 to 55 over December. Highly recommend

[Megan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this for my advent devotion this year and really enjoyed it. I thought walking though Isaiah was a great way to remember Gods man for his people and Joy in our Saviors birth.

[John Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have gone deeper, but some helpful insights.

[Rachel K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really encouraging set of advent devotions focused on Isaiah.