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Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
¹⁶ Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
¹⁷ Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.

There is a sense that the world is becoming ‘increasingly unstable and dangerous’, as I read recently in an email. For anyone who stops to think, there must be a recognition that these are scary times. There are nations (and leaders of nations) who pose a real threat to peace. So, here is perspective:

Why, the nations are but a drop in a bucket,
    a mere smudge on a window.
Watch him sweep up the islands
    like so much dust off the floor!
There aren’t enough trees in Lebanon
    nor enough animals in those vast forests
    to furnish adequate fuel and offerings for his worship.
All the nations add up to simply nothing before him—
    less than nothing is more like it. A minus. (The Message).

‘He’s got the whole world in His Hands.’

How we need this (infinitely) wide-angle, cosmic view of God. He is so great, it isn’t possible to over-worship Him (16): ‘No amount of sacrifices can do justice to the greatness of God – even if all the firewood and animals of Lebanon were available!’ Tom Hale: ‘Applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.1038.

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
“Let’s get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!”
Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he’s amused at their presumption;
Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
“Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit.” (Psalm 2:1-6: ‘The Message).

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.

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
¹⁰ See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

Just recently, Jilly and I attended a beautiful Sunday morning service. God was truly there and being worshipped. We were very much aware of His presence, even though we were a very small company. Our being there took the overall number to eight (including the preacher). As I was in prayer, it suddenly struck me what a truly counter-cultural thing it is just to go to church – particularly in settings where, it seems, very few want to go. Yes, Christian witness is about much more than church attendance, but don’t miss its significance as a testimony to others. (It may also still be a goad for some consciences).

I hear the call to unashamed and unafraid witness in these words from Isaiah. The world is so in need of the good news of the gospel. The good news in Isaiah’s day concerned the defeat of Babylon and the release of the Jewish captives (52:7-9); the good news today is that Jesus has defeat Satan and sin at the Cross, and He will liberate all who put their faith in Him (61:1-3; Lk.4:18-19)

In the original context, the people of God were being told that the God who was going to bring them home from captivity is both great (10) and good (11); He is powerful and strong, and He is loving, kind and tender. His people would have a long and arduous journey ahead of them, but the Lord would be with them, providing close and personal attention. ‘God’s arm is a mighty arm for winning the battle (Isa.40:10), but it is also a loving arm for carrying His weary lambs (v.11)’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.1185.

The picture of God as Shepherd is a familiar one in the Old Testament, and it finds its fulfilment in Jesus who said,  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” (John 10:14).

It’s personal…it is all so personal.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to believe that you love me, and you have all the details of my life in your care.

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”

We hear the call both to ”go up” and ”lift up”. Christian witness – the bringing of the ”good news” about Jesus – is to be visible and audible. It is true that we increasingly feel squeezed by forces in the culture that show hatred and disdain for Christianity, and we need to tread wisely and carefully. But really, when has it ever been any different? Sensitivity has always been important. Nevertheless, the world needs to see and hear who God is and what He is like: that He is great and good, and that He has shown Himself most clearly in Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

It has been said that we believers are the only ‘Bibles’ some people will ever read.

PRAYER: Lord, in this challenging cultural moment, keep me from giving way to cowardice. I increasingly see how urgently the world needs to hear the good news of the gospel. There is no hope, no real life, outside of Christ. Cause my light to burn ever brighter amid the ‘encircling gloom’.