Who is like Him?

I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:5-6

There is so much wisdom in the book of Isaiah.

This verse alone is staggering to me. Recently I was in a situation where I saw the provision of God like I haven’t seen in a long time. Please don’t get me wrong, He provides exactly what I need right when I need it, but this was a blessing beyond what I could have imagined. My response to His gift was tears (obviously) and a question: “What kind of love is this?” It goes beyond anything that I have ever known, and then continues to surpass my imagination. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) .. and I am so glad.

I limit God’s ability and love by thinking He will only do what seems practical. His gifts are so much bigger than that. His solution to our broken world was Jesus! Who would have ever thought that such a sacrifice would be made on our behalf? Seeing His character in the Word, I don’t know why I am ever surprised by the way He reveals His lavish love to me.

What is staggering though is in the center of this verse: “though you have not acknowledged me.”

It is our nature to love someone in response to their love for us – however, when someone treats us in a way that is unloving, the last thing we want to do is show them how much they mean to us. Our first response then is not love, but instead frustration or even anger, disappointment and maybe even abandonment. This is how we can know the source of true LOVE – it is given to us when we least deserve it.

God gives us strength when we have not even acknowledged Him, so that across the world all people can know that there is no one like Him. There is no one like our God. He is a God, not just of mercy, but also of GRACE. He continues to shower us with love we don’t deserve and withholds what we do deserve.

Who is like Him?

He speaks tenderly to us when we are in the desert, and feeling completely alone.

He leads us beside still waters, giving us just what we need when we are desperate.

He gives us rest.

He remains by our side, even to the end, and even when we are so prone to wander.

He LOVES us, with an unfailing and ever-present, perfect and steadfast LOVE. It goes beyond all we can imagine, and covers all of our broken places to make them whole again. He is Restorer… Redeemer… Emmanuel: God with us. THAT is love.