10 I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times,(B) what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon(E) a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned, that I will do.
Reflection
When I was a kid growing up on the Jersey Shore, July 4th was my second favorite holiday. Obviously, Christmas was No. 1 and Halloween was a close 3rd, but July 4th was a wonderful time for us Reed kids. We would drive to Staten Island and watch the Fourth of July Parade in Travis, the town where my mother grew up.
We had a great time staying there. And when the festivities were over the six Reed children were split up with three or four staying at my Aunt Ann’s house and three or four staying at Aunt Jeanette’s house. They were in close proximity with each other. In between, was Walker Park, where we played baseball or just hung out. My folks went back to the Jersey Shore and would pick us up after a weeklong stay on the Island.
On second thought, Halloween was a distant third. We just had a great time on the 4th, without parental supervision.
So, what does this have to do with the Sovereignty of God? If I asked you to name your favorite holiday, I am guessing most would say Christmas, just like I did. July Fourth was a great time for us, but nothing compared to Christmas. If I asked you to pick the most powerful verse in the Bible, what would you decide on? So many to choose from but I think Isaiah 46 has the most powerful verses in the Bible.
Our scriptures for today are Isaiah 46:10-11, which say:
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times,(B) what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.
Very powerful. But if you want even more power, read verse 4, which says, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain(L) you and I will rescue you.
Verse 5 talks about “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?”
But I think verse 9 is the most powerful of all. It says, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”
I am God and there is none like me.
Enough said.
by Rick Reed
For Pondering and Prayer
I need to remember these verses. God is God and there is no one to compare him to. From beginning to end.
Prayer: Oh Father God, help me to remember you are sovereign. Quite simply, you are God. In Jesus name, Amen.