“Here is your God!”
When we see ourselves, our rulers, all nations, and the scope and breadth of all creation, as of little consequence, we are beginning to grasp the powerful yet painful truths proclaimed in the Bible. When all else is gone, there is only God.
This is part five in a series on Isaiah chapter 40, my favorite chapter in the Bible. If you missed any of my other posts, see my FB entries on 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. This series will also continue into November.
Why is it important to see ourselves, nature, and much of the realm of existence, as inconsequential? When we do, we are able to get a clearer glimpse of God.
Normally, harmful radiation keeps us from staring directly at the sun. However, on August 21, 2017, millions of people had a rare chance to look straight at a solar eclipse. Through the use of ISO 12312-2 standard approved solar glasses, people were able to look, at great length, at our nearest star without damaging their eyes.
Long ago, the prophet Isaiah provided far more powerful “supernatural eclipse glasses” - protective eyewear that enabled countless generations to more clearly see and comprehend the Son of God. These eternal eclipse glasses filter out things far more harmful than mere solar radiation, for without them, we would find it extremely difficult to look directly at the Almighty.
With those glasses on and all obstacles removed, only then, Isaiah states, Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9.
As a celestial and stellar communicator, Isaiah’s powerful and practical pointers on how to proclaim the greatest news ever told, even outshine those most eloquent on earth. He reminds us, that when proclaiming the most important news of all, it is not only wise to use the most effective tools, but also important to become proficient in doing so.
In our social media era, his advice on how to share the message might sound like this -- (1) find a platform, where people can see and hear you clearly, (2) speak loudly, carefully and with great confidence, (3) don’t be intimidated or afraid, and (4) tell everyone that God really exists!
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we face a brand new set of challenges and opportunities at the start of the week, first, let’s put on “eternal eclipse glasses” that will enable us to filter out the many things that get in the way of our ability to see God.
Second, let us smile knowing that in just two months, we will again celebrate the arrival of the Awesome and incredible son of God, in a lowly manager.
And Third, let us look for opportunities to ponder and to pronounce, in situations small and great, and both far and near, the incredible truth long ago identified in Isaiah 40, that no matter what circumstance you or I are in, or those around us, let us proclaim, “Here is your God!”