The Gospel of IsaiahChikamu

Wait upon the Lord

Isaiah 40 is one of the most striking passages in the Bible on the greatness, the majesty, and the power of God. It was written to a discouraged people. The Babylonians had taken Israel captive. They had been uprooted from their homes, their communities and their land. They were discouraged, disheartened, and despondent. They were wondering, “Where is God? Does God care? Does He see? Does He notice? Has God abandoned us?”

We understand. At times, we feel discouraged and wonder if God sees, if He cares. Maybe you feel that way right now. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reminds His people of how big, vast, and great He is.

In Isaiah 40:12–14, we see that God is so much bigger than nature—the oceans, the skies, the deserts, and the mountains. 

In Isaiah 40:15-17, we see that God is so much bigger than the nations; than nations like Babylon that terrorize and destroy.

In Isaiah 40:18-20, He is so much bigger than idols—the created things that so many worship, anything that is more important to us than God.

In Isaiah 40:21-23, He is so much bigger than rulers of the earth. We may be impressed by the powerful rulers of nations, but not God. They are like grasshoppers to Him.

Finally, God points us to the most awe-inspiring, humbling thing in all creation; the stars. God created the stars and calls them by name. He is so much bigger than even the stars. 

In light of all this, in light of the sheer greatness and power of God, He says to us: “Put your hope in Me. Look to Me. Wait upon Me. I have not abandoned you. I have not ignored you. I can take care of your biggest problem–addiction, unemployment, teenage rebellion, depression, loneliness, or cancer. Whatever it is, however big it is, I am bigger. So wait upon Me. Look to Me. Put all your hope in Me. I will come through for you!”