I have made regular references to God’s nature as our Father. One can never underestimate the power of that relationship. Isaiah looks ahead to both the short term and the end of time. He reminds the nations that any power they think they possess was given simply to further His plan.
Isaiah looks ahead to the fall of Babylon through the defeat handed to them by Cyrus of Persia. God gave Nebuchadnezzar the greatest empire known to the world. Neb got cocky, and God broke him and placed him into submission. His descendant Belshazzar took over the kingdom and defiled the temple articles. God said–enough! That very day, Cyrus broke through the impenetrable walls of Babylon and ended Babylonian rule once and for all.
Isaiah gave the “blow-by-blow” many years before the inevitable fall. It was God’s way to remind us, His chosen, that like any father–He leads us through the twists and turns of time and in the end holds us up as his own. Other nations wave their banners of victory and arrogantly boast of their invincibility–God silences the room and simply says “Show me!” Then as He has so many times, the Lord resets the table for the next power. The former power fades into obscurity, and Israel remains–His people, His nation.
Daniel’s first vision for king Nebuchadnezzar talked of a statue with head of gold, neck of silver, chest of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. We have seen the rise and fall of each of those empires, Yet, we have never credited God with the recognition that Adonai–not any world leader, clearly has the final say.
How dare we, His own children, dare to attempt to wrestle control from this omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient Master of the Universe? He has earned our trust and truly seeks to protect, provide and prepare us for an eternity with Him. It is critical for us, His chosen, to walk humbly, seek earnestly, and follow God. He will lead us as any father would, through the trials and temptations of our lives. He will bring us safely to the other side. We need only trust Him and obey.
God Bless You
“Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea.
Bring your strongest arguments.
Come now and speak.
The court is ready for your case.
2 “Who has stirred up this king from the east,
rightly calling him to God’s service?
Who gives this man victory over many nations
and permits him to trample their kings underfoot?
With his sword, he reduces armies to dust.
With his bow, he scatters them like chaff before the wind.
3 He chases them away and goes on safely,
though he is walking over unfamiliar ground.
4 Who has done such mighty deeds,
summoning each new generation from the beginning of time?
It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last.
I alone am he.”
5 The lands beyond the sea watch in fear.
Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war.
6 The idol makers encourage one another,
saying to each other, “Be strong!”
7 The carver encourages the goldsmith,
and the molder helps at the anvil.
“Good,” they say. “It’s coming along fine.”
Carefully they join the parts together,
then fasten the thing in place so it won’t fall over.
8 “But as for you, Israel my servant,
Jacob my chosen one,
descended from Abraham my friend,
9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Walking With God 