Isaiah 40:25-29
How do you go about measuring one’s strength? Would you put a set of weights before them and keep adding on the pounds to determine how much they could lift? Would you place a large object in front of them, and challenge them to move it? Just how do you measure strength?
As a young child I recall there was much interest in determining which of our group of young guys was the strongest. There were times when one of us would challenge the other to lift a rock or move a limb to determine our veracity and our strength. It was also an opportunity to immediately proclaim that same person to be weak if they couldn't achieve the task.
In the book of Isaiah, the 40th chapter, we read of the prophetic message from GOD meant for the children of Israel and by extension for us. It is intended to reassure them of God's greatness and His strength. The message also reminds the children of GOD's Covenant relationship with Jacob, by way of Abraham and Isaac; and because of the Covenant (so the message goes) GOD would never forsake Israel. Not only that, Isaiah, reminds the nation that GOD is committed and capable to do all He said He will do.
In the ensuing verses, GOD expresses (what some might determine to be), His resume or capability statement. He notes the things He has done for the House of Israel and for other nations. Although not bragging, He expresses His thoughts in a way that is intended to set himself apart from any other.
To bring particular attention to His Exclusiveness, he asks the questions “who is likened unto me?" Can anyone measure water in the hollow of their hand, like I can? Can any man or any god, measure the depth of the dust of the earth; can anyone manage the weight of the mountains and the hills like your God can? These are critical questions, however, what is at issue here is who can recognize GOD’S strength, and who has the strength of character to allow GOD to operate in His own will?
The word strength is the quality of having physical power. It is also the power to resist force, or to have firmness or durability. Those who are strong can achieve tasks (by comparison) that others may have difficulty achieving. So, in terms of measurement, real strength is not determined by one's ability, power and might in and of itself. It is also determined by the difficulty of the task before it.
Isaiah makes it clear that GOD is willing and able; He has the strength to do whatever we stand in need of, but do we have the strength to rely on him, to depend on him, to wait on him? In TRUTH, the question is not IF GOD...the question (in TRUTH) is, IF ISREAL? If Israel can wait on the LORD, or depend on the LORD, or trust In the LORD,? And, can we? Waiting and trusting on GOD can be difficult. It takes strength of will, character and FAITH. So, just how strong are you? If we can walk in the strength of GOD...WHO THEN CAN DEFEAT US? HOW STRONG ARE YOU?
