Sustaining Power of God

Isaiah 40:18–31
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Isaiah speaks by inspiration to a people who have lost hope. In this passage, He describes God’s power to create, His provision to sustain, and His presence to help. Human idolatry is pictured as being utterly ridiculous by the prophet. Through a series of questions he brings his readers into the very presence of the one true God. He shows that no graven image shall compare to the likeness of God (v. 18). An idol is a god created in the image of man. It is nothing more than a man-made statue covered with gold and chained down with silver chains (v. 19) (which were necessary to keep someone from stealing it).

God is greater than anything in heaven (vv 20-26). He founded the earth and sits on the throne in heaven and nothing is equal to Him, let alone greater than He is. Anyone who looks at the greatness of nature and the complexity of the universe and fails to see the hand of God is without excuse. The phrase “He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth” (v. 22) refers to the Lord God and clearly indicates that the earth is round and not flat.

In the light of God’s omniscience, as well as His omnipresence, the prophet asks Israel why it is that she thinks her way is hid from the Lord (v. 27). Rather than being able to give to Him, He is the one who must give to us in order for our needs to be met. God, who unlike pagan idols, is eternal and the creator, never grows weary (v. 28). Instead, He gives strength to those who are weary and weak (vv 29-31).

Application

I can never obey God in my own strength, but I can always trust him to provide the strength I need (Phil. 4:13). If I trust myself, I will fail; but if I wait on the Lord, by faith, I will receive strength for the circumstances of each day.