Behold Your God

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” –Isaiah 40.9 (ESV)

​Think of our church. What comes to mind? Is it positive? Negative? Is it neutral? What are the issues, as you understand them? I’ve been amazed in my first month at how quick some have been to say: “The problem is this ____insert person or thing____ and if we just did ____insert action____ then we would be in a better place.” Frankly, the problem is not a temporal problem. Our problem is not of this world, but rather is out of this world: it’s spiritual.
 
I believe we are at crucial point in the life of Four Mile Creek. We have believed the lie that our problem is simply temporal and that a temporal solution is required to fix it. In doing so, we have completely removed God from the equation. Friend, let me put it to you straight: This is not a busted pipe that we can fix in a few hours and move on.
 
Rather, our situation is one that requires the greatest Physician and Church Builder in history. It requires the one who said: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Mt. 16.18b, CSB). Though it is his work to accomplish, we still have a part to play. We are to do the very thing Judah was exhorted to do: “BEHOLD YOUR GOD!”
 
That is our course of action and nothing else. Yes, we preach the Word. Yes, we pray. Yes, we reach out to our community. But can I just tell you, “If we cease to behold our God, it’s all for naught.”?
 
We must fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12.2) as we seek to serve him in all things (__). We must extend the invitation to others to come and experience their Creator and then behold him in his awesome splendor.
 
As you read Isaiah 40, you discover the magnificence of God. You discover his unmatched power, plan, character, knowledge, and list goes on! You will discover one who can accomplish more than the greatest we can imagine (Eph. 3.20)! Know this: God has taken care of your eternity and he can certainly take care of your tomorrow and this church’s tomorrow.
 
So, dear friends, “Here is your God!” (10) See, the Lord God comes with strength, and his power establishes his rule. His wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him. (11) He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently those that are nursing.” –Isaiah 40.9-11 (CSB).

For Reflection
Read Isaiah 40.
 
What characteristics of God stand out to you in your reading?
 
How does the reality of God’s character encourage you and impact your life?
 
Pray
Pray and ask God to align your view of him with his word and to empower you to behold him and his glory.
 
Father, I thank you that you are big and powerful! There is nothing you can’t do and no challenge that has left you perplexed. Help me behold you for who you are so that I might boldly serve you and your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.