FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
Isaiah 40:12-31
Psalm 18:37-42

"For thou hast girded me with
strength unto the battle…"

HOW BIG IS GOD OUR DELIVERER?

Surely God is not like one of the myriads of graven images found in Babylonia. Not like the Buddhas, gold-plated or silver-plated, you would discover in the hundreds of temples in Bangkok (Isa 40:18-20). God, our Deliverer, first, of Israel His chosen race, is the Creator of heaven and earth (Isa 40:26-28), its Governor and Supervisor (Isa 40:22-23). The greatness of God in power and wisdom is particularly emphasized. Our God is the Omnipotent, All-powerful One; the Omniscient, All-knowing One; the Omnipresent, the One who is everywhere.

What verses in this portion of Scripture could list under these three headings? The Hebrew word in Isaiah 40:22 has the connotation of the earth being a sphere. Isaiah might not know modern geography and the significance of the particular word used, but God who inspired him to write does.

Though God is so great, so big (in kindergarten language), the complacent Israelites did not know Him. They had yet to experience God in all His power and greatness (Isa 40:27). Therefore the prophet challenged them, and us today in our spiritual lethargy, with the last four verses (Isa 40:28-31). God is ever near to revive us and quicken us who wait upon Him. Did you ever stop to pray when confronted with a problem? These four verses are condensed further into one verse according to Isaiah 57:15 : "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite (broken) and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

THOUGHT: What is God? God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
PRAYER: Open my eyes, Lord, to Thy majestic greatness and glory!

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