THE POWERFUL, PERSONAL GOD

By Pastor Bob DeKlavon

Several years ago, I first read the book Knowing God by J. I. Packer.

One of the chapters spoke of the powerful God of Isaiah 40.

If you have come to Faith long enough, then you know I refer to this chapter often.

Isaiah uses great images to describe the majesty of God.

He has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand.

He has marked off the heavens by the span.

One of my favorite phrases is:

“And contained the dust of the earth to be measured.”

If you have ever cleaned anything then you know how hard it is to get all the dust confined.

God can do it.

The nations are like a drop in the bucket to Him.

He sits on the earth and looks at people like grasshoppers.

For verse after verse, Isaiah reminds us of the power and majesty of God.

We have the care of an awesome God Whose might is ‘out of this world.’

However, the other side of God’s character is on full display in this chapter as well.

It is good to have a God Who is powerful.

But—does He know about my life and what I am facing and does He care?

This is where I appreciate the words of Isaiah who says in verse 11:

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
               He will carry the lambs in his arms,
 holding them close to his heart.
             He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Not only is our God powerful—but He can gently carry us along.

Jesus echoes the sentiment when He speaks of the hair of our head being numbered.

He talks about God caring for a bird that falls—and how much more worth are we?

At the end of this chapter come words that apply to a God Who is both powerful and personal.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.

God has the strength to lift us up and He cares enough to do so.

So—when you are feeling weary and worn—come to the powerful, personal God.

He is the One Who give lasting rest to our souls.