Text: Isaiah 40:25-31, Ephesians 1:15-23, Mark 1:14-28
We are faced with a challenge from God: To whom can we compare Him and who is His equal? He is the creator of the ends of the earth. He brings out the starry host each night and calls them by name. Have you not heard? Have you not known?
The demons know Him by name, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High, and the fear Him. He speaks and they obey. Do you know? Have you not heard?
This is God, the almighty who, through His incomparably great power raised Jesus from the grave, and has seated Him and His right hand, in the heavenly realm, far about all rule and authority and dominion, and every title that can be given, in this present age and in the one to come. Have you nor heard? Have you not known?
That power is at work in us who have been called by His name and are His church. In a world that is increasingly more hostile to those who belong to Christ, we are reminded of that babe come to earth in human form, Immanuel, God with us. He is God made flesh, who willingly took our sin upon Himself, was crucified, died and buried. But through that power, that incomparably great power, God raised Him from the dead. The sin we carried was buried with Him, and we rose with Him, to a new life, a life as His redeemed brothers and sisters.
In this life, we face challenges. Certainly this past year has brought many new challenges and concerns. Threats to our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being have challenged us and our faith. But take heart- our God is seated on His throne. He is in control, and we are His. The closer we draw to Him, the greater our strength will be. He has not left us alone. No, indeed, He dwells within us, to give us strength, discernment, wisdom and His indescribable peace that passes all human understanding.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding, no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fail. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles; They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.”
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
~ Gary Stuhlmiller
Lay Minister of Outreach