Today’s Reading, Isaiah 40-44
Focal Scripture: Isaiah 44:6 “This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Armies, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.”
When you have a conversation with religious people you can get a variety of answers about what they believe and where they stand. Some people believe in many gods and others believe that nobody can know for sure that god is real. They have a mindset that shows people you can believe whatever you want and still get to heaven.
In today’s reading we see this inclusiveness thrown out on its head. God says he is the first and the last. There is no God but him in all of existence. God declares himself king, redeemer and Lord. He wants everyone to know you can look other places, but if you do, none of it will be real or authentic.
This reality needs to hit home for everyone, especially professing believers. I have had many conversations with religious people that claim God is good but that he is not all powerful. I have heard statements that make God a wishing well but not the only one who exists. God is not in a competition with other gods. Why? Because others gods don’t really exist. They are made up beings to bring hope and to align with their own beliefs.
What makes following the God of the Bible different? He goes against social norms. He breaks what people want to do. He doesn’t ask opinions or look for favors. He is self sufficient and all powerful. The God of the Bible exists by himself, with the trinity. He always has and always will exist for all eternity.
So what does this mean for us as believers? It means we can share our faith with confidence. It means we don’t have to prove his existence. It means we serve the only one who can truly do life changing work. So be encouraged today that you serve the only God that there is in existence. He is King, Lord, and redeemer to everyone whether they believe or not in him.
There is only one God and we know who he is and how he saves. The question is do you believe in the God of the Bible or a God you have created. It will make the difference in your future and in whom you trust.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Isaiah 45-48
