Ep. 164. Isaiah 44-45 | I Am The First And Last
EPISODE 164
I AM THE FIRST AND LAST: ISAIAH 44-45
"I am the first, and I am the last; besides me, there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it."
Let those words about our God sink into your brain a bit. Take them off the screen in front of you and just hold on to them for a little while.
God is the first. "In the beginning, God..." There is none before him. He is the source of all things. All life and all creation bow before him and echo his praises.
God is the last. If he were to withdraw his breath from the earth, all mankind would turn to dust again. If he ceased to uphold all things by the word of his power, every atom would dissolve to nothing, and there amid nothing would still be God, for he can't be undone.
Besides him, there is no god. No spirit, angel, demon, or devil can exalt themselves above the creator, for they are just creatures. No army could elevate themselves to the throne of the kingdom of heaven. No man in pride and strength could overthrow the invisible God of glory.
There is no one like him. We would not know what love was if not for him. There would be no measure or standard for forgiveness, goodness, mercy, or judgment if not for God in heaven. Humankind will argue their points and fashion weapons against one another to submit their opponents to a solitary view of what is righteous and holy. But God sits on his throne unphased, for all truth emanates from him and him alone. People will murder one another for their perspective of justice and judgment, and even in the name of love. There can only be this sort of turmoil when there is uncertainty about the origin of these universal truths. As long as humankind forsakes God as the source of all that is right and good, they will bring one another to an end. God alone is pure in his intent and will. God alone is correct in all his doings. God alone has perfect judgment. All wisdom rests with him.
Think about these things and carry them with you today. If today is almost over, then wake up with them in your heart and mind tomorrow.
ADDITIONAL READING: Revelation 1:8; Psalm 115:4-8; Psalm 135:15-18; Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-3; Ezra 4:1-5; Ezra 5:13-17; Isaiah 29:16; Philippians 2:5-11
