(4) God’s Opening Statement

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

After God invites everyone to court in Isaiah 41 to settle the issue of who is really God, He gives His opening statement. He sets the stage for the rest of the chapter where He will prove that He alone is God. He will prove that He is in sovereign control of His-story. He will prove that He can and should be trusted, no matter how bad things might seem to be.

"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. 3He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. (Isaiah 41: 2-3 NLT)

God says He will raise up a king to serve Him. He explains that He will empower this king who will conquer nations like they are a joke. God is pointing forward to what He will do in the future in raising up a great king and conqueror and asks, "Who else can do this?" That question needs to be considered and answered in each of our hearts. Its corollaries are, "Who is in sovereign control?" "Who can proclaim and perform like this?" Who is really God of all creation?" These questions must be answered by each of us. Answered with dogmatic resolve and finality.

Here, God is speaking of Cyrus, king of the Medes and the Persians. A few chapters latter, God will even call him by name.

"It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,’ And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'" (Isaiah 44:28 NAU)

This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. (Isaiah 45:1 NLT)

This is amazing stuff! Nearly 150 years before this man was even born, God called him by name and declared how He was going to use him for his purposes and glory. God is making a point, loud and clear. “I’m the Lord of creation, the Lord of your life, the Lord of your future.”

Let's return to our walk thru Isaiah 41.

"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." (Isaiah 41:4 NLT)

Here it is again, a question we all must consider can answer. Read this verse again, slowly. Do you see what God is declaring here? He is declaring that He is God. He is declaring His power exercised in creation . . . in the lives of His people. He is declaring that He is sovereign . . . He rules . . . over every human being. From before the beginning till after the end, He is God.

All through scripture, God declares His decree and His sovereign rule over all of mankind from creation, extending into eternity. God declares the future because God decrees the future. Never forget this truth, your life is in His very capable hands. He’s got it all worked out.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16 NLT)

God is God. He always has been, He always will be. He is NOW!

You may not understand your life circumstances . . . BUT GOD DOES!

You may not know how you will get through this . . . BUT GOD DOES!

It’s time for you to answer a question . . . Who is your God?