Our Incomparable God
by Lawrence Kelley
Isa 1:2-3
Introduction: The puritan Cotton Mather coined the proverb,
"Faithfulness begat prosperity and the daughter devoured the mother."
Isaiah witnessed first hand the perennial problem of people forgetting
where their peace and prosperity came from. Because they forgot who God
is, they soon fouled up everything else. Whenever men and nations fall
into ruinous sin, this particular kind of forgetfulness is always in the
background.
A Diseased People (Isa 1:5-6). Isaiah's Contemporaries
were corrupt in many ways. They offered up the required temple worship,
but in a hollow ritualism that did more harm than good (1:13). There was
rampant governmental corruption (1:23). Over and again the prophet confronts
the problem of oppressing the poor, the widow and the orphan (3:15). The
immodest & seductive daughters of Zion loved to hang out at the mall
and strut their stuff (3:16). Upside down morals and ethical confusion
abounded (5:20). Drunkenness plagued the leisure class as they were mighty
at wine and the prophets and priests neglected their duties in their lust
for alcohol (28:1; 28:7-8). Another important issue was Judah's reliance
on foreign nations for protection from invading armies (30:1-2). The root
disease contributing to all of these particular manifestations, was a
failure to understand who God is.
Here Am I. Send Me! Isaiah is equipped for the task of
making the Lord known to these people by means of a terrible vision (6:1-8).
This was necessary for the prophet to stand fast throughout His long years
of ministry to an unbelieving people. If we are to ever be a faithful
witness in our day to the holiness and mercy of God we must be well acquainted
with them ourselves. Are you equipped? Can you confidently say, "Here
am I. Send me?"
The Incomparable Yahweh Ch. 40:1-31. In this passage
God's unique nature is beautifully and powerfully displayed. If Judah
would have listened and believed they would never have fallen. Are we
listening? Do we believe? Through the prophet we are invited to look and
believe. Look At The Tasks I Have Done (V. 12). Can YOU do these things?
Look At The Nations (VV. 15,17). Mighty kingdoms are as nothing to God.
Look At The World (V. 22). It is His footstool. Look At The World's Great
Ones (V. 23). He does with them what He will. Look At The Heavens (V.
26). God has made them and named them all. Nightly He calls them forth
and they obey.
Application:
We must not limit God to human categories (v. 25). Ps 50:21 You thought
that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order
before your eyes.
Our way is not hidden from God and He never forsakes His own (V. 27).
In the face of threatening circumstances we must not cast away our confidence
in God and seek help elsewhere. John 10:27-30 My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My
hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and
no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father
are one."
God's infinite abundance supplies us with the grace to persevere through
every trial (vv. 28-31). Are you weary and worn? "wait" i.e.
meditate upon the Lord's majesty until your strength is renewed. You will
never conquer sin, sorrow, or doubt by dwelling upon the power of your
adversity. Instead you must dwell upon the incomparable majesty of your
God.
Questions For Kids:
Who made the world and the stars?
Is it easier to do bad things when you are not thinking about God? Should
you think about God more?
Does God have to do what kings and presidents tell Him?
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