Today Daily Devotional

Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who . . . taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
— Isaiah 40:14

One of the pillars of Christian teaching is that God knows all things, understands all things, sees all things, and searches all things. Nothing is too complex for God to understand. There is no area of knowledge in which God needs instruction. God is the righteous judge and does not need someone to interpret the law to instruct him on how to judge. The wisest person doesn’t compare with God. We cannot add anything to God because he is perfect in himself.We cannot tell God anything that he does not already know. No one has had to teach God wisdom because he is the source of all wisdom. No one has needed to shed the light of understanding on him because he discerns all things with perfect clarity.God's wisdom is evident in the work of creation. He made everything with a definite purpose, for his glory and for our good.God’s wisdom can be seen in both the macrocosm and the microuniverse. We see God’s wisdom in the stars and in a drop of dew. We see his handiwork in the formation of the human body and in the complexity of a tender flower.God is the counselor par excellence. He is the just judge. He is wisdom itself personified. Hallelujah!

All-wise God, deepen our awe of you. Teach our hearts to trust your judgments, rejoice in your creation, and rest in your knowledge that guides all things for your glory. In Jesus, Amen.

Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
— Isaiah 40:13

Continuing with the description of the incomparable majesty of God, Isaiah highlights the fact that the Spirit of the Lord cannot be fully understood. There is no wisdom or knowledge higher than the Lord’s. No one else has greater wisdom. God is all-powerful, so he is not dependent on another being. God holds all knowledge, so he knows everything, sees all things, and can search all things, even to the depths of our being.God is the guiding light itself, so he cannot be guided. God is the light of truth itself, so he needs no one to teach him. He knows all things, so there is not an unknown way for him to be guided by another. God is the way itself. God knows all that is revealed and all that is hidden. For him, the unknown is nonexistent. God is not surprised by anything. Nor is he helped by anyone.God is the one who helps us. God is the one who guides us. God is the one who carries us. God is the one who gives us life and breath and everything else, for in him we live and move and have our being.From the Lord our God comes every good gift. In him we have all that we need to live a full, abundant life (John 10:10).

All-wise God, you need no teacher and depend on no one. Carry us in your strength, fill us with your truth, and supply every good gift we need for life. In Jesus, Amen.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
— Isaiah 40:12

From this section of Isaiah 40 to its end, the prophet asks rhetorical questions that highlight God’s amazing power, ability, and majesty over all things. In relation to creation, knowledge, nations, and rulers, nothing and no one compares with God.For example, who is able to measure the waters of the earth in just the hollow of his hand? Think of all the oceans, lakes, rivers, and other waters on this earth. To the Lord these are smaller than the hollow in the palm of his hand!Similarly, the span of the Lord’s fingers can mark off the heavens. Scientists say that the universe is more than 93 billion light years in diameter. This means that if we flew at the speed of light, it would take us more than 93 billion years to go from one end of the universe to the other. And yet God can measure that mind-boggling distance with just the breadth of his hand.What’s more, God can weigh the earth’s mountains and hills on a scale and gather all of the earth’s dust in a basket. With these astonishing descriptions, the prophet Isaiah makes abundantly clear that our God is incomparably great. He is the creator of the universe and the sustainer of his work of creation. There is no one like him. He alone is God. And this God is our Lord and Savior!

Majestic Lord, you measure the oceans, the heavens, the mountains, and more as if they are small things. Fill us with awe at your greatness. Sustain our faith, we pray, and remind us that you are our Savior. Amen.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
— Isaiah 40:11

The Lord is not only the almighty God of the universe; he is also the shepherd of his people. God tends his people like a flock, watching over them, caring for all their needs, gently leading them, and providing them with comfort and restoration.In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that he is the good shepherd (John 10:11), and his followers echo that in calling him the great shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20) and the chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). As our shepherd, Jesus laid down his life for his sheep, rose again to live for us, and will return to live with us forever.The prophet Isaiah, speaking of this good and great shepherd, offers three truths about the Lord’s shepherding care. The first is that this shepherd provides for his flock, feeding it, protecting it, and guiding it. The second truth is that this shepherd takes special care of his tender lambs, carrying them close. The third truth is that this shepherd gently and lovingly guides his sheep that need special care.With the Lord as our shepherd, we will lack nothing. With the Lord as our shepherd, we will have all we need for everyday life, security in death, and our Savior’s constant presence for eternity.

Lord Jesus, our good and faithful shepherd, nourish and guide us in your constant care. Lift us up when we are weak, comfort us when we hurt, and lead us with your gentle strength. In your name we pray. Amen.

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him. . . .
— Isaiah 40:10

Having introduced the Lord to his people, Isaiah describes the majestic revelation of God.First, he is the Sovereign LORD, the Lord Almighty. The Lord is neither a pagan deity nor a tribal idol; he is the one, true God, clothed with power and majesty. Since he is all-powerful, nothing is too difficult for the Lord.Second, the Lord has control over the universe, history, and nations, for his mighty arm rules over all things. Kingdoms rise and fall, but the Lord remains King over all. He is the one who gives life and takes it away. He is the one who exalts and brings low. He is the one who raises up presidents, prime ministers, and other rulers on the earth, and yet before him they are like nothing, no more than a drop in a bucket (Isaiah 40:15-17).Third, he is the God who rewards. The Lord saves by his grace and brings rewards by his goodness. Scripture says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10). And “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).The Lord our God is sovereign, almighty, in control, and faithful to his promises.

Lord, you rule with all power and majesty over all nations and all time. Strengthen our faith. Help us to serve you with love, trusting that you see, remember, and reward us with the gift of full life with you. Amen.