What You Thought You Knew About God’s Identity

Scripture: Isaiah 40:12-31

Key Verse: Isaiah 40:31

When I first read the key verse for this passage, I must admit that I went in with a very self-centered mindset. I just knew that when I got to verse 31 it would be all about how God provides His people with so much strength. However, while He does give us His strength, these verses collectively are probably one of the most comprehensive ways I’ve ever heard God’s identity outlined in a way that I could understand. It made me realize that God’s strength isn’t something that should make me want to place Him in this box of being only my Savior, but it should make me want to acknowledge Him for all that He can do just for me.

Verses 12-14 showcase the awesomeness of God. God is the creator of all things on Earth and in heaven. He intentionally measured things out and placed them where they belong, and if we remember back in Genesis “it was good” (v.12). It was his omniscient (all-knowing) power that allowed Him to complete it all without help (v.13-14). Since only God existed in the beginning, we can’t attribute anyone, especially not any man, to helping Him obtain the knowledge that He possesses. He didn’t need blueprints to construct the mountains or divide land from the sea because this was all a part of His plan.

Verses 15-17 showcase the size of God. The verses compare nations to drops and fine dust (v.15). If the nations are this small, then we can only imagine how small the individual human is compared to Him. It makes so much sense when you think about what happens when we try to do things to change the world on our own without God’s help. We always fail. Nothing we do on our own is ever good enough compared to what God in all His glory can accomplish on His own (v.16). He doesn’t need us to complete His plan, but He wants us to be part of His plan. There is no offering or repayment that could ever compare to what He can do for us, and our pride is what will put us below inanimate objects (v.17). So, we must trust in Him.

More importantly, we can’t continue to worship these idols. God is a jealous man. I know you’re thinking that you probably don’t have any idols but money, your job, school, and/or your family can serve as idols in place of God. So, you must be careful because those cannot stand on their own (v.20). You will always end up needing God to supply your needs. He has been supplying needs since the beginning of time, and He continues to do it today (v.21). No political figures or other people in leadership can even begin to provide or care for you the way God does (v.23). If the truth be told, God can strip away their position, and they will be left with nothing (v.24).

God just wants us to recognize Him for all that He can do and trust that He can always do more (v. 26, 28). His power, unlike that of man, has no limits. If we truly understand Him and study His word, then we will learn that nothing we truly seek is hidden from us (v.27). God is going to bless us, but we must be willing to wait to receive what it is that He has in store. Waiting doesn’t mean being still. It means actively seeking God during the passing time. We don’t have a microwave God that just turns things around in seconds. We have a crockpot God. He wants to ensure that everything is cooked right and ensure that all things are working together for our good. So, when we tap into His deliverance, we will see His true power because if you pay close attention to the key verse you can see that God is a man who can give us the power to soar before we can even walk.

Prayer: Lord thank you for being all that you are for me and more. Thank you for your creation and your greatness. Please remove any idols that I have tried to replace You with from my life. Allow me to continue to chase after You and study Your word so that I can grow in You. Lord help me to soar and be at peace with where I am. In Jesus name, Amen.