Today Daily Devotional

Why do you complain . . . ? Why do you say . . . “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
— Isaiah 40:27

God’s people were discouraged and feeling helpless. Despite the majesty God had shown for them in the uniqueness of his being and the greatness of his work, the people were mistaken in two ways.First, they thought God had forgotten them. They began to doubt God’s goodness and care. They were like deists, who imagine that God is distant and indifferent to our struggles.Second, they thought God was being unfair to them. They believed they had special rights that were not being delivered to them. They accused God of neglect and injustice. They did not see God’s loving care in his discipline. They ignored his commands and his call to love him with all their heart, soul, and strength and to love their neighbors as themselves (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; see Matthew 22:34-40).God’s discipline is not done without love. Storms in life may come, but they do not nullify God’s care. We are loved by God, and he graciously gives us life and offers us forgiveness despite our sins. We are chosen not on the basis of how good we are or what we have done. We are saved by grace through faith in the Lord and by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Through Jesus we are freed to approach the Lord with humility and gratitude, no matter what our circumstances might be.

Loving God, remind us that you never forsake us. When we face hard times and even discipline, teach us humility and trust. Help us to rest in your grace and goodness. Amen.

Lift up your eyes . . . to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. . . .
— Isaiah 40:26

Life’s problems can weigh us down so much that we may feel as if we can’t look up. But we need to lift our gaze to consider the greatness of God and the majesty of his creation. As Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” In a similar way, Romans 1:20 testifies, “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. . . .”When God summons the great multitude of stars, calling each one by name, not one is absent. The Creator not only made them but also named each one. There are more stars in the sky than we count. Yet God summons each one, calling them by name, and they promptly appear.God knows every one of the trillions of living cells in our bodies. He knows every hair on our heads. He upholds all things by the power of his word. “In him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). He has created, preserves, and governs all things. All things exist for the praise of his glory.In what ways are you discovering how great and powerful the Lord is? We can trust in him to handle whatever problems we might encounter.

Creator God, lift our eyes from our burdens to your majestic power. You sustain all things. Deepen our faith in you as we observe your care, wisdom, and amazing work each day in the world around us. Amen.

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
— Isaiah 40:25

The Lord God is unique. There is no one like him. He is the Lord, “and there is no other.”God is incomparably great. He is above and beyond all creation. He did not have to create the universe to be God; he was already God before the foundation of the earth. The Lord is not like idols made by human imagining; he is the one who gives life to all.God is not vulnerable or fleeting like the rulers of this world. His throne is unshakable. His kingdom is eternal. He cannot be challenged or defeated by any enemy or coalition. God is the undefeated victor in all battles. He does not share his glory with anyone. He does not decentralize his power. On the contrary, in God’s hands are all power and authority.The Lord is incomparably holy, separate from everything and everyone. In him there is no fault. He is pure in who he is and perfect in all he does.Moses declared, “Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11).We can trust in God because his power is unlimited. His love is eternal, and no one can separate us from that love. His wisdom is perfect, and therefore none of his plans can be thwarted.

Lord, you are incomparable in holiness and power. You are the eternal, unrivaled God. We worship you. Help us to trust that you have perfect wisdom, unchanging love, and sovereign authority. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

No sooner are [rulers] planted . . . no sooner do they take root . . . than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
— Isaiah 40:24

The powerful people of this world tend to think they are strong and mighty, but they are fragile. They think they have the control of history in their hands, but they do not. Their stability is provisional. Their strength is temporary. Their wealth is volatile.Their fragility contrasts with the omnipotence of God. Their instability contrasts with the eternity of God. Political rulers are fragile and temporary, but God is all-powerful and permanent. Scripture says people “are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow” (Psalm 144:4), but God is unshakably the same “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2).God controls the nations. He raises up kingdoms and overthrows them. He gives politicians and other leaders positions of power and takes them down. Compared to the Lord, rulers on the earth are barely planted and rooted before they wither. All it takes is a breath from the Almighty to blow them away like chaff.Rulers who try to defy God do not prevail. The arrogant may try to stand against the righteous God, but they will only be swept away.Put your trust in God, our only true refuge and strength!

Almighty God, teach us not to trust in fragile human power but in your eternal strength. Humble the proud and uphold the faithful, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
— Isaiah 40:23

Isaiah points out the Lord’s supremacy over the government leaders of this world. They rise to power and seem unshakable, but they are eventually overthrown and replaced.Where are the pharaohs of Egypt? Where is Sennacherib of Assyria? Where is Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon? Where is Cyrus of Persia? Where is Alexander the Great? Where are the caesars of Rome? Where are the dictators who ruled with an iron fist? Where are the judges who made the courts a place of injustice and oppression? They have all fallen and will fall.The Lord himself is the one who reduces them to nothing. No political power can stand against the Lord’s sovereignty. No court, however respected, can annul God’s decrees. Human power is limited. The powerful people of this age will fall. All who exalt themselves and crush the defenseless with inhuman brutality will be torn from the earth and will perish.God brings down the proud and exalts the humble. History shows that one empire on the earth will follow after another. Great kings and powerful generals and clever judges will fall. “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” and “soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

Sovereign Lord over all, you humble the proud and overthrow unjust powers. Teach us to trust in you, to defend the oppressed, and to wait on you with hope so that we may rise with renewed strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.