“So, who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?” says The Holy One.
Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name—so magnificent! so powerful! And never overlooks a single one?
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,
"GOD has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me?" Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? GOD doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
Isaiah 40: 25-28 (The Message)
To me, the Bible is full of wonder and awe – and why not? It's the story of the God of the universe and His love for me! I’ve always had a special fondness for the book of Isaiah. The prophet’s awe of God flows off the pages like waves, overwhelming me and opening my heart to the truth of who God is. This Omnipotent Creator is the same God who invites me into His presence daily – what a privilege!
If you have a few minutes today, I encourage you to read Isaiah Chapter 40 in its entirety. The first part of the chapter will be familiar to you if you have listened to Handel’s Messiah – it describes preparing for the arrival of the King. Isaiah calls us to repent, but also to be comforted because we are forgiven.
The second part of Isaiah 40 really gets into the business of extolling God’s greatness through His creation. The heavens and the earth point to our awesome God - there is none like Him! I especially like the verses quoted above, where the prophet poetically relays how important we are to God. In other words, the same God who calls each star by name without missing a single one, knows me, His child.
Then why do I sometimes doubt that God hears me or sees me?
I am reminded that, as I wait for my King, I can look at His creation around me and be astounded that He is here in my heart. God is always present – Emmanuel. Even in the midst of my doubt He will renew my strength as I wait for His Kingdom to flourish here on earth. He calls me by name, and He calls you by name to look at the stars and proclaim His greatness!
God bless you!
Shireen
