The Attributes of God:

The Audacity of Man and the Supremacy of God Isaiah 46-50 “I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established and I will accomplish all My good pleasure; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly, I have spoken; truly, I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.” (46:9-11).                   The audacity of man is to think that we can conform God to our perspective and that we can be the masters of our own destiny. Israel, like us, had turned their back on God to pursue the gods of their own making. Rather than conform to the character and standard of God, they created their own idols. When we look at all the religions today, they focus upon the teachings of a man and worship one who lived and died. We find them app...

The Folly of Fear Isaiah 41-45 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”                   It is easy to fall into the trap of fear. As we look into the future, it appears uncertain and unknowable, and what we cannot perceive or control becomes a source of fear and anxiety. When we observe world events and the turmoil in our own country, it’s natural to feel apprehensive and fearful. But our fear isn’t only about the direction of our country; we also worry about what the future holds for ourselves and our families. Every day, we are reminded that we do not control the events of life or the circumstances we face. Each year, Chapman University conducts a survey of what Americans fear most. The top ten fears of 2025 are: 1. Corrupt government officials, 2. P...

The Greatness of Our God Isaiah 36-40 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales?                   How does the finite grasp the infinite? How can we who are nothing more than a speck on a plant that is a speck in the Milky Way, which is nothing more than a speck in the vastness of the cosmos? One of the audacities of humanity is that we elevate our importance, power, and influence to the point that we believe we can control our own destiny, determine our own morality, and even save the planet from any impending disaster. In the arrogance of our thinking, we believe that God should conform to what we think, and we create God in our image. So, how does the finite grasp the infinite? By making the infinite finite. We confor...

When a Nation Descends into Turmoil Isaiah 26-40. “But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord?”                   When we read of the prophetic announcements that will come upon Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations, it often seems as if God is describing our country today. Daily, we pick up the news and see reports of conflict in the streets of Minnesota and across our county. People are looking to politicians (both Democrat and Republican) to solve our nation's problems and provide a moral foundation for society. The same was true of Israel during Isaiah's time. Israel was caught between two superpowers vying for control. The Assyrians to the north and Egypt to the south. Israel was not only between these two nations but also controlled the territory separating them. The nation that controlled Israel held the key territory between these superpowers. Like today, there w...

The Tale of Two Lives Isaiah 26-30 “Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O Lord, We have waited for You eagerly; your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls” (26:8-9).                   In Isaiah 26-30, the prophet sets forth the indictment of Israel and Judah for their rebellion against God. In a series of pronouncements, God warns the nations that if they continue to reject him, they will face the certainty and severity of judgment. In 30:9-11, we see the reason for their judgment. In their rebellion, they refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord. Yet the words of warning that God gives to Israel could easily be applied to our world today. They did not want prophets who confronted their sin and pointed them towards repentance. Instead, they wanted teachers and prophets who would only give promises of blessing. They wanted prophets who speak “pleasant words,” who p...

The Justice and Mercy of God. Isaiah 21-25 “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”                   Chapters 13-24 recorded a series of devastating judgments of God against the sins of the nations surrounding Israel. The message was clear:  If a nation abandons God and embraces sin, it will face the consequence of God’s judgment. However, in chapters 24-25, we see the movement's climax in the prophecies. Instead of the judgment of God leading to anger towards God, it is to lead to the praise of God. We often praise God for his love, grace, and mercy, but how many times do we sing the praise of his judgment and his justice? We embrace a God of grace but deny God’s justice and holiness that brings severe judgment upon sin. Yet the anthem of praise recorded in chapter 24 begin...