Does God even care
1. God above gods
Doubt was a real problem in Israel. The Israelites doubted God so much, they turned to idols instead of God. Their idols became their gods. (Isaiah 40:19-20)
However, while Israel tried to depend on idols, the idols were dependent on them! The idols would not even exist if the Israelites had not made them. God is so much greater. (Isaiah 40:18)
Unlike idols, He was alive long before any of us were born – before time itself was born. Unlike idols, He never needed us to make Him – it is He who made us! Unlike idols, He does not need us – without us, He continues being God – strong, mighty, and glorious as ever!
2. Ruler of rulers
Who is the most powerful person in the world? Forbes Magazine has awarded it to… (drumroll…) Barack Obama. Here are some of his titles: Leader of the Free World, POTUS (President of the United States) with the Mostest, and the Barackness. He has his own aeroplane, his own countryside retreat, and his own security guards. Powerful indeed. Yet Obama is just like each of us. A “grasshopper”, when compared to God. All it takes is for God to blow on Obama, and he would “wither”. (Isaiah 40:22-24)
God is so much greater than all our leaders, He sits above all that happens here on earth, for He dwells in the heavens (Isaiah 40:22). His will can never be thwarted; instead He thwarts the wisdom of the wise. He is in complete control of all countries here on earth.
3. Commander of creation
Everyone knows Raffles – the founder of Singapore. After founding Singapore on 6 Feb 1819, Raffles left the next day, only to return four months later. No wonder the statue of him is of his arms folded – since that was how he looked upon Singapore for most of his life!
How about God? Has He folded His arms since creating the world? Surely not! God is so much greater. First, God knows His creation really well. He knows the stars “all by name”. Second, God delights in His creation. He calls out the stars, and puts them in display for us to “lift our eyes on high and see”. Third, God sustains His creation. He tends after the stars, and ensures that “not one is missing” from their luminous ranks. (Isaiah 40:25-26)
4. Giver of Strength
How long can a person go without sleep? Some reports claim that there is a Vietnamese man named Thai Ngoc who has not slept for 33 years. Others claim the record belong to a Californian called Randy Garner, who did not sleep for 260 hours. In either case, however, the sleep deprivation took its toll – they had trouble focusing, and would later hallucinate and slur their speech – just as Isaiah said they would (Isaiah 40:31).
God is so much greater. He is everlasting and ever-energetic – He never “faints nor is weary”. Furthermore, He is not merely strong, but also selfless. Red Bull may boast that it can ‘give you wings’, but God gives a real boost, not a boast – He gives us His power! (Isaiah 40:28-29)
Wait on the Lord
How great is our God! God is greater than idols and leaders; God is greater than anyone else in His care for His creation – and in His care also for us. Thus as we look ahead to next year, let us “wait on the Lord” (Isaiah 40:30-31). He certainly can and definitely will renew our strength. We will triumph over our tiredness! God cares, and God can help!