Isaiah 40:26

New International Version

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

For Encouragement

What is your mood today, going into the weekend?

You have gone through a lot this week, and we are not just talking about problems. We review the week with everything in focus: the workload, exhaustion, surprises that upset everything—medical, social, financial, spiritual, family—disappointments, and discouragements. Even successes and laughter pose challenges to our fragile frame. Ask the prophet Elijah for His story (1 Kings 19:1-4).

There were moments when you felt the rug pulled out from under your feet, and you were drowning. The challenges overwhelmed you. Like Jonah, hitting the seabed was your only expectation. Rising was unthinkable (Jonah 1:15; 2:1-9). How could you, for the forces were too strong to push against? But haven’t you forgotten the invincible God on your side?  

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of the majesty of the God we serve—the Holy One we call our Father. As children of the Most High, we are most privileged of all creation to call on Him in times of need, and to lean on His Mighty and Everlasting Arm through every situation. You just have to know who He is—really know His Majesty. Read Isaiah 40 as the prophet turned from history to the prediction of the coming Messiah.

He started with God speaking comfort to His burdened and exhausted children, needing redemption from their sin-inflicted slavery. Jerusalem needed to hear the good news of her prophesied restoration (Isa. 40:1-2). The Lord God shall come with a powerful hand to deliver, gather, and feed His flock (10-11). He is the One who measures the waters in the hollow of His hand and weighs the mountains in scales (12). How Mighty is our God! He is incomparable to any of the so-called gods (18, 25). As someone has said, God is unique, unrivaled, and unequaled in all creation. He is the one true God (45:5).

This awesome God asks you to lift your eyes to the heavens and see the One who created the whole starry host. Maybe then you will know His Majesty and the power to deliver you from every situation.    

[He] brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing (26).

What a Mighty God we serve!

He knows all His creation by name, and because of His great power and incomparable strength, none gets lost. How can you think He doesn’t know where you are, your condition, or that He has forgotten you? How can you assume He cannot deliver you from your conundrum?

Go on then, my friend, to a pleasant weekend. Relish the angelic cake, freshly baked for you. Find peace in the belly of the fish, and praise Him.  

Child of God! He has highly favored you in Christ.

Shalom  

Pray with Me

Grant us, O Lord, the eyes to see your majesty and know your power at work in us through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.