I Love You as Big as the Sky

Yesterday we read from 1 Peter chapter 1.

Peter concluded that chapter with these words: “…love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (and here is where he quotes from the old testament)for:

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

He was quoting from the prophet Isaiah and specifically chapter 40. I love the verbiage in this chapter! It’s all about comfort for God’s people, reemphasizing God’s greatness, and mighty power; His goodness toward us.

“…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?

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!…

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!

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.

“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?

Why would you ever complain,…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.

He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

they walk and don’t lag behind.” Isaiah 40 The Message Version

Isaiah 40 offers the idea of endurance, faith, and hope in the face of adversity, emphasizing the strength and comfort that can be found in God's promises, even during difficult times.

Friend, trust in God's sovereignty and patiently endure trials, knowing that God's plan will ultimately bring comfort and redemption.

“Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.” Isaiah 40:11 The Message

by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, October 4, 2023