Rest in the Power of God

So far in Isaiah Chapter 40 we have seen God as caring, glorious and eternal. Today’s verses reveal God as powerful. Isaiah 40:9-10 tell us that God is coming with a message, a powerful message.

“O Zion, messenger of good news,
    shout from the mountaintops!
Shout it louder, O Jerusalem.
    Shout, and do not be afraid.
Tell the towns of Judah,
    “Your God is coming!”
10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
    He will rule with a powerful arm.
    See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.”
God is encouraging the people of Israel that He will indeed return and when He does it will be with power and rewards for the faithful. The message of good news is the gospel brought by and through Jesus Christ. The rule of power would refer to the future and His return as King to judge and rule overall creation. There is a promise of return, hope, salvation, power, might and reward. Only God can achieve all this perfectly in His power. He is All Powerful or Omnipotent. God has unlimited power, authority and influence. His power is not bound by time and He does all He wants and intends to do. What He says He will accomplish. God is the source of all power in the universe and with out Him all things fall apart. We can depend upon His power and might to sustain and keep us. I am encouraged by Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”

Isaiah 40:28b also speaks of God’s power. “The Lord is the everlasting God,  the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.   No one can measure the depths of his understanding”.
In addition to God’s power we see His eternality, creativity, and incomprehensibility. Only an all powerful, Omnipotent God could be all these things. He is eternal- everlasting. He is the Creator of all heavens and earth. He never tires or grows weary as we humans do- He is tireless. He is so deep in character and thought that our finite minds cannot comprehend all of God. We do not have to worry that God will not understand us or grow tired of dealing with our problems or circumstances. I am encouraged when I consider God’s description of himself in Isaiah 55:8-9
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
God is God and there is no one like Him. He is above us in intellect, power and might. Praise God He is in control and is the Sovereign power of the universe.

How does God’s power impact your life? I am encouraged as I can always depend upon Him. He never tires or grows weary. He has the power and grace to help me though any circumstance. 2 Corinthians 12:9 constantly reminds me He is the sustainer of all.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” His plans are eternal and nothing can thwart His will. His power leads me to rest in Him and take a breath as He Has This and He Has me!

Linda

I don’t get it? Why this way God?

I have been pondering today’s scripture for several days.  Luke 1:34-38 continues the encounter of Gabriel and Mary.  She begins with a question and listens as the angel explains how and why Mary will become pregnant.  Amazingly Mary states her unwavering obedience to God before Gabriel leaves her.

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”   35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Where is God in this encounter?  God is the Sovereign force behind the events happening right then.  He is All-Powerful, Omnipotent God who can make the impossible God-is-incomprehensible-1happen.  But, the attribute that has stuck in my mind is Incomprehensible.  Not in our wildest human plans would we have come up with a miraculous birth by a lowly young Jewish maiden to save all mankind.  We cannot understand God’s thoughts, plans or ways with our finite minds.  His ways are always righteous and good for all people.  His ways and plans bless us and glorify Him.  Here are a few verses that speak to the incomprehensibility of God:

Job 5:9 “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”     

 Isaiah 40:28  “Do you not know? Have you not heard?   The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”     

Isaiah 55:8 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways,”  declares the Lord.”     

Romans 11:33  “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments,  and his paths beyond tracing out!

faith_does_not_make_things_300x300How big is your God?  Mary knew God could do great and impossible things in the world and in her life.  She experienced the incomprehensibility of God in her life and accepted it on faith.   Can you do that too?  When you face hard to deal with questions or situations in life, can you trust in Jesus anyway?  Walking with Jesus is a life long journey of learning and discovery as no one can plumb the depths of God’s Word or fully know His character.   He wants to teach us to love and trust Him realizing He is incomprehensible and His ways are not our ways. 

Linda