Is it Time to Compare?
Is it time to compare?
Although it looks like, by most accounts, that the guy I voted for as president came in 2nd place, God not only still holds the preeminent place in the universe, but the events of the past week provide a great opportunity to repeat a question first asked by the ancient prophet, “To whom will you compare God?”
This is part seven in a series from Isaiah chapter 40, my favorite chapter in the Bible. If you missed any of my other posts, see my entries on 11/1, 10/25, 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. The series has centered on the theme, “When God is big, everything else is small.” Insights from the Prophet Isaiah that can help us face Covid - 19, events in our nation and world, and the challenges in our personal lives.
First in my mind, 8 years ago today, I was with my dad, when he passed from this life to eternity. An event unlike any other, a day of grief, and a moment frozen in time. A time when the mysteries of life itself are laid bare, in the cold reality of the loss of a loved one.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, 11 years ago, on November 6, 2009, John joined our family. Two nights ago, we celebrated John’s “gotcha day,” and our great joy when this now 19 year old first became our son. What an amazing thing it is to adopt, to step into a larger world, to add a child, one of God’s greatest gifts, to our family.
Back to Isaiah 40, I have smiled on and off this week, even in the midst of uncertainties, and a lot going on in our nation and in my life, as I have pondered how the words of the prophet Isaiah speak to us today. Verses 18 and 25, ask the following: “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?”
“To whom then will you compare Me that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
As I have pondered these questions, I have been thinking about the nine times I have been in Washington, D.C. to witness a Presidential Inauguration. I’m hoping to be there again, many more times in the future, no matter who is inaugurated, on any given January 20th.
In my view, the inauguration of an American president is the most amazing political moment in the world. OK, maybe I’m biased. However, even given that I’m deeply patriotic, highly political, and an extreme fan of the red, white and blue, why the thoughts on the inauguration as related to Isaiah 40?
At one of those inaugurations, on January 20th, 2001, I watched President Bush’s motorcade travel down Pennsylvania Avenue. I was thrilled to see the guy that I voted for now as president, the same feeling others of you have experienced, or are even experiencing this week.
However, at that same moment, I realized as wonderful as it was, it was insignificant compared to what the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, experiences in heaven, every day. I realized, by comparison, the best we have to offer on this side of the veil of eternity, is billions of times less significant, than the majesty, glory, and splendor of the beauty of heaven. By comparison, there really is no comparison.
Don’t get me wrong, I still am an inauguration geek, and hope to be there again in January. However, the more I pondered that cold day in 2001, and the days and years since that event, it has helped me to put things in perspective. A reminder, that we, our rulers, all nations, and even all of nature, are insignificant compared to God. A recognition that, when God is big, everything else becomes small.
If you haven’t done so before, set some time aside to consider, or re-consider the questions asked by the Prophet Isaiah. Take a moment to answer the question, to whom will you compare God?
You can use politics, you might try science, or perhaps use the natural world to try to compare God. In that effort, God might be compared to : the prettiest flower, biggest tree, tallest mountain, deepest valley, widest ocean, brightest star, most distant galaxy, etc.
No matter what you or I use to try to compare Him, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of Him in the process. When we finite humans attempt to study the infinite, our eyes can be opened in new ways as we seek to ‘measure’ how big, amazing, and awesome, He really is.
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we face a new week, and as you smile or frown given the election results, and the challenges and opportunities in your life, and in your family, I hope you will take time to ponder the amazingness of God. Keep in mind, that when God is big, everything else becomes small. Take time also to ask the same questions asked by the ancient prophet, “Is it time to compare?”