The Majesty of God: Isaiah 40
As I reflected on the well-known verse from Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” I found myself curious about the verses leading up to this powerful promise. What had God said before this to set the stage for such an incredible declaration? I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Isuka ngani?” 😁 What had been the context?
In today's world, our understanding of God is often framed through the lens of personal gain. We love the idea of a personal relationship with God, but all too often, we reduce Him to someone who exists simply to fulfill our immediate needs. If He doesn’t answer the way we expect, it’s easy to feel like He’s failed us (SPOILER ALERT- He never fails), much like humans can disappoint us. But the Bible presents a totally different view of God. He is personal, yes, but He is also infinitely greater than us. He is eternal, almighty, and beyond our comprehension.
Isaiah 40 is a chapter about God comforting His people, but it’s not a pity party filled with sympathy. From the very first verse, God’s majesty shines through—not just in His power, but in His deep care for His people. The word "majesty" in the Bible speaks to God’s overwhelming greatness and splendor. When applied to God, it emphasizes His infinite nature, calling us into worship. Psalm 93:1-2 declares, “The LORD reigns, He is robed in majesty… Your throne was established long ago.” This verse highlights that God’s majesty is timeless and spans all space.
In the opening chapters of Genesis, God’s personal engagement with creation is clear. He speaks to Himself, interacts with Adam, and shows deep concern for His creation. Yet, even as God is personally involved, He is also the Creator of everything, with supreme authority over all things. He is all-powerful, bringing life from nothing and exercising judgment over the earth, as seen in the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. To truly understand God’s greatness, we must remove any limitations we may have placed on our view of Him.
Isaiah 40 calls us to compare God to the greatest powers and rulers of the world. At the time the prophet Isaiah wrote this, the Israelites were in despair, feeling forgotten by God and overwhelmed by their circumstances. Much like many of us in life’s difficult seasons, they were weary and questioning God’s involvement in their struggles. But God, through the prophet Isaiah, calls His people to lift their eyes and hearts toward a higher truth of who He is. God reminds us that He is far greater than any human ruler or natural force. The nations are a drop in a bucket to Him, and the heavens themselves are under His command. The stars, which seem so distant and awe-inspiring to us, are simply His creation—He calls them by name. This perspective puts our own smallness into focus and reveals just how incomparable God truly is.
In Isaiah 40, God asks three crucial questions that challenge our understanding of His majesty and help us reset our perspective:
1. “To whom then will you compare me?” (v. 25) – God challenges us to stop reducing Him to human terms. Our limited understanding often makes us imagine that God shares the same limitations we do.
2. “Why do you say, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord’?” (v. 27) – This question reminds us that even when we feel lost or forgotten, God is always aware of our situation. He never overlooks or abandons His people.
3. “Haven’t you known that the Lord, the Creator of the earth, never grows tired or weary?” (v. 28) – God rebukes our doubt in His infinite strength. He is never exhausted by the needs of the world or the challenges we face.
To truly grasp God’s majesty is to understand that He is bigger than our worries, our frustrations, and our fears. When we meditate on His greatness, our troubles shrink in comparison. The Creator who holds the universe in His hands is also the One who holds our lives in His care. Recognizing His infinite power and love transforms us—it deepens our faith, fuels our worship, and leads us to trust Him more fully. So be comforted!!