Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?

Derek Kidner writes regarding Isaiah 40:12-31:

‘This superb poem rebukes our small ideas and flagging faith…by its presentation of God as Creator (12-20) and Disposer (21-26) of a universe dwarfed by his presence.’ ‘New Bible Commentary’, p.656.

Reading today’s passage, words from Psalm 8 came to mind: ”…what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (v.4). God does not need people. Let’s get that straight. He chose to make us, and He loves us, and it is His plan and purpose to use us. But He doesn’t need any of us. I have heard some people say that practicing a regular rhythm of ‘sabbath’ helps them to recognise that they can rest and the universe goes on running without them! Pastors discover that the church continues when they are not on the job 24/7. The world does not stop.

God is God – and we are not!

‘When you behold the greatness of God, then you will see everything in life in its proper perspective.’ (Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.1185.)

This includes you.

This includes me.

Let’s listen to today’s reading again: this time from ‘The Message’:

Who has scooped up the ocean
    in his two hands,
    or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger,
Who has put all the earth’s dirt in one of his baskets,
    weighed each mountain and hill?
Who could ever have told God what to do
    or taught him his business?
What expert would he have gone to for advice,
    what school would he attend to learn justice?
What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows,
    showed him how things work?

Next time you feel tempted to, in your prayers, advise God what to do, remember these words and think again. We need to consult the Lord for our enlightenment, but He does not need our counsel.