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Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
‘My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God’?
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

Listen to how ‘The Message’ puts it?

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.

Why would we ”ever complain”? But we do. Some people make a lifestyle of complaining, and, it has to be said, they tend to not be all that likeable or popular. They start to grate on others with their constant ‘whining’. But it should be added, I think, that many of us who complain little outwardly, may actually be great complainers inwardly. Have you really listened to your own internal conversation recently?

”Why do you complain…’

The Bible shows that God’s people can and do complain, and He is patient with our human frailty. But when we do complain (and especially if we start to complain about Him), is it not because we are forgetting important theological truth about the Lord?

Do God’s children have any legitimate cause to complain about their good Father?

‘Complaining is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.’ Van Wilder.

“So—who is like me?
    Who holds a candle to me?” says The Holy.
Look at the night skies:
    Who do you think made all this?
Who marches this army of stars out each night,
    counts them off, calls each by name
—so magnificent! so powerful!—
    and never overlooks a single one?

Between 1975 and 1978 – my student days – I lived in Capel, a village situated deep in the Surrey countryside. I was billeted in Pleystowe House on the Rusper Road, where there were no street lights. The darkness was so thick you felt you could reach out and touch it. Also, especially on a clear, cold night, the sky glittered with a seemingly infinite number of stars. What a sight! It both filled me with awe, and made me feel very small. But we are small. We also need to be able to see ourselves in perspective, and not just nations and rulers.

The God of Isaiah 40 is the One who ”also made the stars” (Genesis 1:16b).

Derek Kidner, in the ‘New Bible Commentary’, expresses ‘…the true lesson from the majestic progress of the stars: the precision, not the absence of God’s control.’ (P.656).

He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing. (New International Version).

How wonderful, that God knows each star by name. But even more so, He knows His own ”sheep” by name (John 10:3,14).

Here is a great quote from Sean McDowell. He had been to a seminar on ‘seeing Christ in Creation’, led by Dr. Eric Hedin, when he wrote this:

”Psalm 147:4 says, “He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names.” The key point of Psalm 147 is that God is the Creator and is worthy of praise. The Psalmist wants his readers to absorb God’s greatness by stepping out of their limited perspective and considering the divine perspective. This is done by considering that God numbers the stars in the universe and gives them their names.

Let’s put this in perspective. Scientists estimate that there are about 1 x 10²² stars in the visible universe. That would be equivalent to roughly 10,000 stars for each grain of sand on every beach on planet Earth. Let that sink in for a moment.

How long would it take to name all these stars, as Psalms describes God doing? According to Dr. Hedin, if the universe is 13.7 billion years old, it would require counting 1 million stars every second since the universe began. Looked at from another perspective, one would have to name 60 million stars per minute for the entire history of the universe to name all the stars in the visible universe.

Clearly this is a task beyond even the greatest computer. It is a task that only God can do.

Of course, the Psalmist would not have understood these numbers. But the Psalmist was still in awe at God. Now that we can begin to grasp the depth of creation, we should be even more in awe at our Creator.

Here’s the bottom line: God is astonishingly powerful. He cares deeply about creation. And this same God who counted the stars knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7).

God cares about creation. And yet He cares even more deeply about you.”

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
²² He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
²³ He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
²⁴ No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than the blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

Here is the same passage in ‘The Message:

Have you not been paying attention?
    Have you not been listening?
Haven’t you heard these stories all your life?
    Don’t you understand the foundation of all things?
God sits high above the round ball of earth.
    The people look like mere ants.
He stretches out the skies like a canvas—
    yes, like a tent canvas to live under.
He ignores what all the princes say and do.
    The rulers of the earth count for nothing.
Princes and rulers don’t amount to much.
    Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted,
They shrivel when God blows on them.
    Like flecks of chaff, they’re gone with the wind.

I believe it is worthy of note that, for centuries, there was a widely-held belief that the world was flat. But not for Isaiah. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he spoke of the earth as a ”circle” or ”round ball”.

There are some pretty scary nations out there, but we get to see them in perspective (15-17). Also, there are some fairly terrifying tyrants on the prowl, but look at them from heaven’s perspective (23,24). What we read in verses 6-8 equally applies to political leaders. They are transient, and they are in God’s Hands.

I have to admit, though, that it is one thing to catch a glimpse of world events in proper proportion, but it is quite another to maintain that perspective in the face of the 24 hour news cycle. Warren Wiersbe’s comment seems relevant:

‘Someone has defined ”circumstances” as those nasty things you see when you get your eyes off God.” If you look at God through your circumstances, He will seem small and very far away, but if by faith you look at your circumstances through God, He will draw very near and reveal His greatness to you.’ ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.1185.

PRAYER: Lord God, please help me not to be overwhelmed by all that I see and hear in the news. May I see everything in the light of your eternal throne, and your indestructible rule.

So who even comes close to being like God?
    To whom or what can you compare him?
Some no-god idol? Ridiculous!
    It’s made in a workshop, cast in bronze,
Given a thin veneer of gold,
    and draped with silver filigree.
Or, perhaps someone will select a fine wood—
    olive wood, say—that won’t rot,
Then hire a woodcarver to make a no-god,
    giving special care to its base so it won’t tip over! (The Message).

The folly of idolatry is a repeated theme in this section of Isaiah. He spoke into a world littered with idols. The culture the Jews lived in (Babylon) was thoroughly pagan. The people of Israel, and then Judah, had spent years in captivity because they turned from the true God to idols. Israel ‘did time’ in Assyria, and Judah tasted bondage in Babylon.

But they were without excuse. God had made His commands explicitly clear:

And God spoke all these words:

² ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ ‘You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴ ‘You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:1-6).

See the emphasis here on how helpless idols are. They have to be helped to stay upright; they need assistance to be kept on their feet! Contrast this with the real God who has strength and gives strength (vv.26, 29-31). We are to trust, not in helpless gods, but in the helpful true and living God.

(See Romans 1:18-23 where Paul exposes the wilfulness behind the blindness of those who worship false gods).

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’.

A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
⁷ The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

I seem to remember a book belonging to one (or both) of my parents, entitled ‘What shall I tell them?’ I think it was a volume of ideas for sermons or Bible class talks- something of that nature. Maybe it was about preaching.

As I was coming towards the end of the series on ‘Hebrews’, I said to my wife, Jilly, ‘I have no idea where I am going next with these daily thoughts!’ (But I was, of course, praying about it.) ‘You’ll know,’ she said. I think it was that very same day that Isaiah 40 was impressed upon me. I still believe that ‘What shall I tell them?’ is an important starting point for every preacher (if He hasn’t already shown you!).

Have you noticed the emphasis, in the first part of chapter 40, on God speaking, and then people speaking what He has spoken? Look at verses 1,2,3,5,6-8,9-11. But don’t miss the priority of God’s Word. His speaking comes first.

‘What shall I tell them?’

The message in these verses concerns the transience of people and the permanence of God’s Word.

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Sting’s song, ‘How fragile we are’. I was driving through Harehills, in Leeds, one dark morning, on my way to meet a friend for a run in Roundhay Park. Back then, in my mid-30’s, I already understood something of how frail we humans are, but today, in my mid-60’s, I know, and feel, it all the more.

James 4:14 says, ”What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

‘How fragile we are.’

But the good news is:

‘For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
²⁵     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.‘ (1 Peter 1:23-25).

The ”word” (i.e. the gospel) is no longer merely contrasted with our transience, but is, in fact, its cure.

”…whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17).

There are eternal consequences when we are born anew by ”the living and enduring word of God.” We can never truly die (John 11:25,26).

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for how your Word has changed, and is changing, my life. Thank you for your eternal life invading and filling mine.