Untitled Sermon

We have faced trying times, and we will continue facing trying times as long as we live on earth. In order to face and go through life’s challenges, we all need strength. Often though, we don’t pull on the unlimited power from GOD to strengthen us in life’s situations. We seek strength in other sources because of what we observe in others. Why? Because sometimes we don’t fully acknowledge, accept, appreciate, and ask for God’s true power in to move in our lives. Thus, I want to spend a few weeks talking about the Power of GOD, how we access and receive it to strengthen us, and what it applies to in our lives.

Isaiah was a prophet of GOD in the 8th century B.C. Is 40 and following is his message of comfort to the South for the future trials they would face from Babylon. They were at a point of distance from GOD that they did not truly acknowledge and rely on him. Idols and national or military strength is what they relied on. This was a smack in God’s face, as if he had not shown himself and his power to his people. They should’ve been testifying about him. But because of human tendencies to trust in tangible, optical, and audible power, GOD has to state his own case against idols and foreign nations.

How do we know GOD is having to state his own case? Because the personal pronoun “I” is riddled all throughout these chapters. Furthermore, he repeats it in v 11 for emphasis, to make sure nobody confuses who he’s referring to. That’s just how far they had drifted from knowing him, that he has to repeat the reference to himself. What do you want us to know and understand about you Lord? That he is the Lord, or Yahweh and there is nobody that can claim being a hero or deliverer from danger. Why would GOD need to state this? Because his own people turned to wood, created things, and nations when they were in trouble and gave them heroic credit.

Application: We must learn to ascribe to GOD what only belongs to him. Any rescue, deliverance, or saving from anything is from him. Because only he has saving power!! Some call it luck. Some call it fortune. Some say “if it hadn’t been for such and such”. When those phrases are on people’s lips more, GOD makes a stand for himself, “It is only from me!!!”

Particularly for Israel, again, out of any community of humans on earth, they should’ve been the ones stating these things. Because he told them things that would happen, then he fulfilled what he said by rescuing them out of Egypt and many other oppressions and challenges. He has also given countless reminders through messengers and servants. They haven’t been without evidence! Furthermore, nothing or no one outside of him were ever introduced to them.

Application: What further demonstrates that The Lord is one, is his ability to tell humanity what was, what is, and what will be. There is no probability in what GOD speaks. The minute we accept an introduction of words foreign to him, as if they are any degree accurate, we treat the source as if it has providential power of GOD. Only GOD can take credit for predicting a thing and it coming to pass. He told Adam, you will certainly die! He told Abraham, you will have a son! He told him, your descendants will be too many to count. He told him, they will be oppressed over 400 years. He told him, I will bring them out! He told Israel, if you forget me you will be scattered!

GOD makes one last statement about himself that they need to firmly be reminded. That he is “GOD”. Interestingly, God is a title, not a name. The basic meaning of “el” which is translated “God”, is power and might! Furthermore, he is power from the eternal realm. To crown the fact that his existence and nature is powerful, he makes another “none exist” statement. None exist who can snatch anything from his hand. Hand another word that describes his influential power. Then he puts out a question that fully glorifies who GOD is, when he does something, who can undo it?

Application: We gotta know and remember, when we talk about GOD, this one that’s speaking here, he can’t be relegated to earthly power. GOD is telling us here, everybody better recognize who I am and the proper way to think about him is POWER!! Nobody can take anything from his power. There is no cancel culture against GOD! Can’t hold back the waters, rain, wind, etc. The order of vegetation, rotation of earth, seasons. Can’t dim the sun. It is all by his power!!

What response should we have at what GOD says about himself. Like Job, I know that you can do all things and nothing can stop your plan or power!!