God's Everlasting Power And Divinity

by G. Prasher, Manchester, England | Category: Gleanings From Isaiah | May 1996

Throughout the half-century of Isaiah's prophetic work, two things constantly threatened God's people. First, the tendency for many in Israel to backslide into idolatry. Second, the overshadowing military might of the great Assyrian empire, the superpower of that time. Isaiah was given a deep understanding of the greatness of God, and chapter 40 of his hook exposes the futility of the idols and the nothingness of earth's greatest nations compared with the eternal One.

In today's world we also face widespread rejection of revealed truth in Scripture. We live under the shadow of the bomb, destructive military power which eclipses anything previously known. Isaiah's challenging message helps us to see things from heaven's viewpoint. Man's daring unbelief and boasted power are cut down to size and shown to be insignificant compared with divine wisdom and almighty power, as so well expressed in ch. 40:12,13.

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counsellor hath taught Him?

In harmony with all Scripture, creation is here seen as the work of God, the Creator. Measurement, calculation and scientific balance are evident in the whole design of this planet, as modern research so amply confirms. In figurative language Isaiah impressed this truth, which will become clearly evident to the sincere observer in search of truth. Indeed we are told in Romans chapter 1 that the invisible things of God since the creation of the world are clearly seen in the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity.

The evidence of what we see around us in created things should cause us to recognize God's supreme wisdom and power, even though He Himself is invisible. God says that any who ignore this are without excuse.

Isaiah extends his challenge by consideration of the vast universe of which our planet is such a tiny part:

It is He that ... stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in... Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by name; by the greatness of His might, and for that He is strong in power, not one is

lacking (40: 22,26).

Astronomy has penetrated deep into the universe, discovering an immense range of galaxies undreamt of before modern radio telescopes were available. Isaiah's observation of the night sky stirred his heart in adoring wonder at the greatness of the One who made and controlled the heavenly bodies. How much more should we bow in humble adoration, with our fuller knowledge! About 250 years ago the poet Addison felt profound awe at the testimony of the universe to the glory of its Creator. This is how Addison expressed it:

The spacious firmament on high,

With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

Their great Original proclaim.

In reason's ear they all rejoice

And utter forth a glorious voice;

For ever singing as they shine,

'The hand that made us is divine'.

Isaiah reasoned powerfully with the idol worshippers of his day, contrasting the gods of gold, silver, stone and wood, which men themselves made, with the glory of the divine Creator. The witness of creation still stands, in all the wonder of its beauty and design, to challenge human unbelief, and point towards the fuller revelation of God through Christ in the written Word.

The prophet also used the fact of God's infinite greatness and power to help His people in their natural fear of nations more powerful than themselves. To quote from verses 15 and 17 of our chapter:

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket and are counted as the small dust of the balance ... All the nations are as nothing before Him; they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.

How comforting this must have been to the people of Jerusalem at such times of crisis as when the Assyrians besieged their city with a vast army. At this time Isaiah would be about 70 years of age. Rich in his experience with the living God, he encouraged king Hezekiah and his people to trust entirely in the Lord of hosts, from whom he brought the message:

I will defend this city to save it, for Mine own sake, and for My servant David's sake (37:35).

And the Bible record continues:

The angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000 ... So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt in Nineveh.

One of the most dramatic divine interventions in all Israel's history!

Nor has God abdicated His sovereign control over nations today. The exhortation of 1 Timothy 2:1 is still vitally important:

I exhort therefore ... that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be mode for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.

Such intercession is still the most effective deterrent available against

the unloosing of destructive power in modern warfare. And whether in Isaiah's day or ours, believing hearts rest on the promises of the eternal

God:

Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness (41: 10).

G. Prasher, Manchester, England | May 1996
Gleanings From Isaiah