The Greatness of God

TODAY’S KEY VERSE is given in two statements to encourage Israel during the time they would be captive in Babylon. The first statement is, “He giveth power to the faint.” Israel had mostly forgotten that they were a chosen nation of God by a covenant. “The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors.” (Deut. 7:7,8, New Living Translation) They had also failed to recall the psalm declaring God’s power to deliver whom he will, even from Babylon: “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” (II Chron. 20:6, NLT) These words to the afflicted and downtrodden Jews were spoken as an incentive to remember God’s attributes of love and power, and to regain their trust in him.

The second statement in today’s Key Verse is: “To them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah reminds the people that God will strengthen those who are conscious of their weakness and look to him for support. “Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer.” (Ps. 40:17, New American Standard Bible) These statements of our Key Verse were a message of hope and encouragement for the Jews who were feeling weak and powerless. It was a reminder to them that God is always there to help when it is needed most. In Isaiah 40:31 the prophet speaks of those who rely on the Lord for strength: “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”—English Standard Version

These words of the greatness of God are also to be a comfort to spiritual Israel during this present Gospel Age by grace through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul assures us of this power in II Corinthians 12:9,10 (New International Version): “[Jesus] said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” The Apostle Peter likewise tells us our trials give us a share in Christ’s sufferings which will be rewarded when his glory is revealed.—I Pet. 4:12,13

Jesus gives us the ultimate words of encouragement for our spiritual strengthening: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”—Matt. 11:28-30, NIV

The greatness of God is manifested to us through his Word to give strength to those following in Jesus’ footsteps. As Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) Thus, let us remember the power of the Heavenly Father’s greatness, as manifested through his Son.