The Greatness of God
Good day to each you as we have entered a new year.
I don’t know about you but I am battling the flu and this been quite a battle. Many doctors, the thought of blood clots in the lungs, coughing up blood, mucous, no energy, no appetite and weak legs to name a few of the lingering symptoms.
Ahh, that is bad, but as I laid in bed, I was reminded that Jesus had it so very worse. Think about it, the weight of the world, the population from the past, present and future along with their sin and to be nailed to a cross for payment for several hours.
Reality hits that I don’t have it so bad for He said he would never give us more than we can handle. Thinking about it, I could have been swallowed by a fish for three days with nothing but ocean water and the inside of a fish.
The morale is, yes, we think we have it the worst and the skies have darkened that there is no one to turn to, that all friends have left us, hat we have abandoned, and that hope is gone. The clincher is that God said that He would never forsake us nor will he abandon us, so take heart as we move into the lesson.
The lesson today comes personally to me for as I have been reading God’s word, a verse or phrase will stick with me in my walk each day.
Here you go, Isaiah 40:8 NIV) “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Simple and to the point in your daily walk for grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Now that is a long time and the test of time.
As you are out and about in your daily travels, take a moment to look at the grass for that grass will wither and the flower will fall of its stem, yet God’s word endures forever. So simple and so true and right in front of each of us.
Here is another found throughout the Bible and in Isaiah 45:3b so that you may know that I am the Lord—we, as a people, are so feeble as we must have everything shown to us physically before we will believe and then we will know. Think no further than “doubting Peter” and Jesus showing Peter his hands where the nails went through. Peter was an apostle and yet was of little faith.
Are we no different especially when the going gets tough that we ask God to show himself so we can be refreshed by knowing he is still with us.
Here is another verse that hits me—Isaiah 45:5a—I am the Lord, and there is no other. Yes, there is no other and yet we still have those who are atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, Taoism, far east religions, witches, wicca, and all so many that I have missed.
Satan sure has stirred the pot by giving man all so many false choices and there is clearly one choice—I am the Lord and there is no other. How hard is the verse, as it says there is no other.
I look no further than when Adam and Eve were in the garden and the serpent tempted them with a choice. Instead of choosing the Lord, they chose Satan and the rest is history.
This leads me to Isaiah 45:7– 7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
If you want to get a dull party going, just ask folks if God creates evil? Did God create Satan? If you want to get rid of Jehovah’s witness, ask them about this verse and the above questions.
As I read this verse the years, I see the importance of each word and the meaning of the verse. Remember God formed light and darkness in Genesis and took that which was void and made it into creation as we know it. Where would we be if there was no light or for that matter no darkness. God created both for balance as well as peace and evil for he knew man would always search for peace, yet we have those who are evil and constantly want to stir up trouble.
God has created rulers through the years for his glory as shown in the Old Testament and this is reiterated in Romans 13: 1-5 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Would you not agree that the Lord does all these things? The authorities that exist are under the authority of God for God created them like you and me.
As this lesson concludes, may you keep this verse in memory, The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
If we reflect on our own life, we see that we no different for we wither and will fall, but the infallible word endures yesterday, today and tomorrow.
May God Bless You in all that you do and may you Bless God always and Forever.
