Title: Who Is God?
Contents
▒▒▒ Isaiah 40: 25-31
Do you have the kind of faith that unquestionably believes in God in the face of various tribulations? This text was written in 587 B.C., when Israel was destroyed by Babylon and taken into exile in a foreign land. The people of Israel were circumcised on the eighth day after they were born, so they lived as God's people. In addition, they read Shema's words to the one God every morning and evening, 'serving with all your life, with all your soul, and with all your might,' making it their life motto. Maybe ask the Israelites, “Do you believe in God?” I think that asking itself would be a frivolous question. As such, they were people who believed in God and lived their lives. However, when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem, and the city of Jerusalem was completely burned down, and the city was absurdly destroyed, is God alive? I ask. Most of those taken captive to Babylon were an elite group of priests, who were taken to Babylon naked. In this situation, they turn to God, do they really live? that was asked.
Today, God made a covenant with us just as He made a covenant with Israel. The covenant is that God becomes our God, and we become God's people. But when we often face difficulties, does God exist? asks. This time, our church medical and beauty mission team went to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a country that spans the equator. So there are no typhoons in that country. This is because typhoons occur near Sri Lanka. But beyond our common sense, a tsunami that started in the Indian Ocean hit Sri Lanka. Thirty meters high plume of water rushed in. There will be no houses left from there. But to my surprise, there was a house that stood strong among them. Those houses were built with concrete on the rock. Even in our lives, difficult events such as cyclones, typhoons, hurricanes and tsunamis often strike us beyond our expectations. At that time, we realize that the way to live is to build a house of faith on the rock.
The Israelites, who were taken captive to Babylon, began to doubt the existence of God. To such people of Israel, God reveals who He is. Who really is God?
When the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, the Babylonian god was Marduk. Marduk is one of the many stars in the sky. In Babylon, the Israelites question whether Marduk, the Babylonian god who took them into captivity, is a stronger god than Yahweh, who led them into captivity. They feel the power of God they believe in is powerless. But God said, “To whom do ye compare me, and make me equal to him?” Then, “Lift up your eyes high and see who created all these things.” I say. God is the creator of all the stars in the sky. Marduk is just one of those stars. God is also the one who gave the names of the stars in the sky. God is the Creator God, who made all things in the world just as he made the stars. So, like the psalmist in Psalm 8, when we look at the sky that you have made with your fingers and see the stars and the moon that you have made, then, Lord, what is it that we love you so much? I can only praise it.
Finally, God gives strength to the weak and power to the weary. God is the One who, like an eagle soaring up on its wings, makes those who wait for Him so that they will not get tired even if they run and walk without getting tired. When an eagle flies high in the sky, whose power is it? Is it the power of your own wings? no. When an eagle flies, it cannot fly without the wind. The eagle soars high in the sky with the wind. We are like this. If we wait for God, just like an eagle soars high with the power of the wind, we will become a person with the ability to soar into the sky, overcoming the difficulties of being surrounded by the power of God.
Saints! Build your house on the rock. Huge tsunamis such as typhoons, cyclones, hurricanes and tsunamis can come into our lives. There may also be difficulties in being bullied from all sides. But if you build your house on the rock, it doesn't matter at all. I hope you all build your house on the rock and live with strong faith anytime, anywhere.
2008-07-31 10:12:24