Incomparable

“My dad is bigger than your dad!” Comparison is very common in our world, and we can all be drawn to align with those in authority that we perceive as stronger and more powerful because this gives us a sense of being safe and protected. Like a child who believes that his dad can beat up another child’s dad when he feels threatened by a peer, we need to understand that our heavenly “dad” is incomparable in his power!

Israel, like a disobedient child, had for many years rejected God’s ways, instead choosing to worship idols, following the sinful ways of other rulers. This chapter proclaims God’s desire to “comfort and speak tenderly” to his people, after all that they had been through, learning the “hard way” how important it is to listen to and obey God, their real father. Like a child who had been disciplined for constant misbehavior over the years, it is so clear that God’s desire is to now welcome them back into his embrace once more, affirming his love for them!

Not only did the Father God have a powerful love for his children, he also had a powerful arm, and this chapter (Isaiah 40) reminds Israel that no earthly powerful ruler could compete with the Holy One, the Sovereign Lord:

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him (40:10)

He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither (40:24)

“Here is your God!” proclaims verse 9. (Here is your Dad!) This very encouraging and truth-filled chapter of Isaiah makes my heart sing when I remember that the prime ministers, presidents and kings of this world really have no power! There is no possible comparison between them and my heavenly dad!

Father God, Holy One, Sovereign Lord, please remind me today and each day that you are bigger than earthly rulers and the idols that I am tempted to worship and admire. Help me to listen to and obey you, knowing that you are incomparable. Amen.

For Today: Is your focus on earthly rulers today? It is hard not to be drawn to the news and to the competition that is going on in our world today to see who is more powerful. Can you imagine God laughing at the posturing that is going on? (Psalm 2:4)