204
Prophets and Kings
spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it;” “I am the
Lord that maketh all things;” “I form the light, and create darkness;”
“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even My hands,
have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”
Isaiah 42:5
;
44:24
;
Isaiah 45:7, 12
. “To whom then will ye liken Me,
or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and
behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by
[316]
number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might,
for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.”
Isaiah 40:25, 26
.
To those who feared they would not be received if they should
return to God, the prophet declared:
“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is
hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,
the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is
weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to
the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even
the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly
fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Verses 27-31
.
The heart of Infinite Love yearns after those who feel powerless to
free themselves from the snares of Satan; and He graciously offers to
strengthen them to live for Him. “Fear thou not,” He bids them; “for
I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of My righteousness.” “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm
Jacob, and ye man of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14
.
[317]
[318]
[319]
The inhabitants of Judah were all undeserving, yet God would not
give them up. By them His name was to be exalted among the heathen.
Many who were wholly unacquainted with His attributes were yet to
behold the glory of the divine character. It was for the purpose of
making plain His merciful designs that He kept sending His servants
the prophets with the message, “Turn ye again now everyone from his
evil way.”
Jeremiah 25:5
. “For My name’s sake,” He declared through
Isaiah, “will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for