Isaiah 46:1- 13
Tuesday, 25 July 2023
“To whom will you liken Me ,and make Me equal And compare me, that we should be alike .” Isaiah 46: 5
In today’s scripture, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel, who He is. Since His people had replaced Him for the ‘gods’ of the nations around them, He now highlights how these ‘gods’ could never ever be compared to who He will always be!
First Isaiah draws their attention to the condition of the Babylonian “gods” after the fall of the nation—their idols were carried into exile, unable to help themselves nor rescue the city from their enemies! They could neither hear the cries of the people nor save them (v.7). In contrast, we hear God calling His people to Listen, Remember and Recall who He is (Vs.3, 8 & 9) by revealing His greatness, power and unequalled nature thus causing them to return, depend and put their trust in Him.
As you read/ listen today, if you have put your trust in the gods of world, it is time for you to capture a fresh glimpse of who GOD is! He will not disappoint you like the other ‘gods’. Why is this so certain?
Here’s what GOD says He is and what He can do!!
I. Giver of life – From Birth to Death (Vs.3&4)
The first claim that God makes is that He is our Creator & Maker, explaining 4 things that He does:
· upholds from birth
· carries from the womb
· bears you in old age
· delivers you from trouble
All these show the tenderness of a mother and the strength of a father. Through the Old Testament we read how God as a Father has carried His people on His shoulders and brought them to safety from all their afflictions. In Isaiah 49, He says that even if a mother forgets her child, He will never!! Since He made us with His own hands, His Hands are strong enough to keep us through lives’ journey. Jesus in John 10:28 says ‘I give them eternal life and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.’ Do you enjoy this place of security?
II. God in control -He Knows and He Does (vs 9-11)
Here God claims to be an Omniscient God. Living in a time when no earthly leader has any idea of how to run this world anymore, God has proclaimed centuries ago that He is the God who declares the end from the beginning (V.10), thus being a unique God (V.8). Every event in this world is very much under His control. We read the prophecy of Cyrus in Isaiah whom God would raise to restore His people and this prophecy was fulfilled in time, pointing to them He can be fully trusted and is able to do whatever He has promised. Likewise everything yet to happen in this world, will happen exactly as Jesus spoke to John in the book of Revelation and every promise He has given each you will also come to pass! So in our waiting, may we like Abraham be “fully convinced that He who promised is able to perform.” He will accomplish His plan for the world and for each one of us!!
III. Grace out poured – Unrighteous made Righteous (Vs.12&13)
The amazing fact about God is that, not only did He bring solutions to the physical problems of the Israelites, He also worked out salvation for them and the whole world. Even in today’s reading we see God promising His people deliverance from slavery and freedom from the bondage of sin. How can God help a stubborn and hardheaded people from sin? He did it Himself! He did it in Christ! “God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.” (2 Cor. 5:21 MSG]. Is this how you stand before God today? If not, do not delay and receive this offer that is freely available In Christ!
Our God is truly Incomparable and Irreplaceable!
Think on:“Our LORD, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy! Fearsome and glorious! Miracle worker! Exodus 15:11 [CEV]
Listen: 'There is no equal to you Oh God '