Recently, I saw a post that said 75-80% of college students abandon their faith after leaving home. I remember this poll from when I was a college pastor, and apparently it holds true even today.
If you grew up in any kind of Christian home, you were told that God is real and that you should believe in Him. But when challenged with a question like, “How do you know God is real?” or “What makes this God greater than other religions’ gods, such as Allah, or Buddha?” This is apologetics: the explanation and defense of one’s beliefs. Your beliefs can’t be based on the conviction of your parents, friends, or religious influencer like a pastor; it must come from your own study, experience, and ultimately the core conviction of your heart, which is sourced by absolute truth. In other words, if God has not become personal to you and you can be talked out of your belief, it was never yours to begin with and you are subject to compromise.
I asked my kids, “How do you know God is real?” Their responses blessed me as they said, “Buddha, when you pray, won’t heal you.” The other said, “When you pray and ask God a question, it may take a few days, but He will answer you.” I was impressed and explained to them that their faith in God must be their own, not because of what I say, but because they have had their own experiences with God.
As we have been looking at Isaiah 40 this year, the “Year of the Fix,” where God is not fixing what He has already accomplished in Christ, such as redemption, sanctification, and justification, but as we said last month, fixing our attention, affection, alignment, and accomplishing our assignment before the return of Christ. I say this because when you look at chapter 40, it is God introducing Himself and solidifying conviction in the heart of His people.
Daniel 11:32b says, “But the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits – bold acts and daring deeds.” This is God’s desire for His people, past, present, and future. In Isaiah 40, God is speaking to a people that because of sin and rebellion, have distanced themselves from His presence and influence in their daily lives. God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him that is not based upon others’ ideas or religious activity and duty, but by revelation and illumination that has solidified our beliefs. As Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for they that come to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently believe in Him.”
Isaiah 40 starts by setting the stage in verses 1-8. Comfort. Prepare and get in position. Flesh is frail. God’s word is forever. From here, it goes into an introduction.
Verses 9-11, “Behold your God!” God is strong, holds power, and like a shepherd, is the ultimate source of all necessary requirements of life.
Verses 12-14 God’s power is unmeasured, and His ability, knowledge, and skill are seen as second to none.
Verse 15-17 God is above the nations. He is above political power and agenda.
Verse 18-20 God is above idols. There is nothing that can give support and aid or is deserving of our worship and affection greater than God.
Verse 21-24 God is above the earth. He is above the problems and chaos of this world.
Verses 25-26 God is above the stars or heavens.
In verse 27, the people complain that they are unseen and unheard. Isn’t it something that being seen and heard is so vital to our emotional needs? I love that 1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.”
Verse 28, God is seen as being inexhaustible and ever ready to be your God.
Verse 29-30, the great exchange takes place. God is the giver of dominance. He increases strength; divine supply is never empty, but always full. Flesh will fail and falter, but God never will!
Verse 31, the chapter ends where it started, “But those who wait (hope, expect) on the Lord shall renew their strength;”
With this verse-by-verse review of Isaiah 40, I believe the knowledge of who God is comes alive as He wants you to have a clear image of Him and what He possesses and has accomplished in your life in spite of the pressure, anxiety, and depression the enemy may use to steal your breath, placing you in the depths of despair.
God is unmeasured in power, unmatched in wisdom, unthreatened by political tactics and nations’ agendas. God cannot be overthrown by rulers and is unrivaled by heavens, He is the all-sufficient One, and victorious ruler over all!
This is your God, and you can trust Him! This is the one that has come alongside you to walk hand in hand through the landmine of the enemy and place you untouched and unharmed on the shores of more than enough! The work of the cross has changed the setting of your spirit, soul and body. We have been given, in Christ, everything to live boldly and bring change to our area of our influence and world.