"Do You Not Know?"

In Scripture, one of the most powerful texts is Isaiah 40. Some of the greatest passages about God’s power and authority are there: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him?
14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.”

21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
23 He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Note that most of the passages are contrasts between God and someone else. God is greater than idols, God is greater than the nations and empires.

The reason for God’s powerful, bold statements is because of His promise. God had promised Israel that after 70 years of exile, they would return to the land. At Isaiah’s writing, the 70 years were just about up, but there was no sign that they would be able to return. In fact, the power of the Empire had as strong a grip as ever. Many were giving up hope that God’s promise would be fulfilled.

But God was reminding them that the One who made the promise was much, much more powerful than the Empire that held them, or the gods that they relied on. There was no reason for them to hesitate, to doubt God’s promise, because God was powerful enough to fulfill His promise.

Most of the time, when God is speaking about His power in Scripture, He is speaking to His people in despair or in crisis. They see their situation and say, “There is no hope. There’s nothing to be done. Even God can’t—or won’t help us now.” Then God always responds, “I see your plight. I know your crisis. I have waited to do something until now, but I won’t wait any longer. Not only do I have the desire to help you, but I have the power as well. I love you and you will not remain here forever.”

The problem of suffering has less to do with God’s power or love, and more to do with our patience. We don’t want to have to endure even a bit of suffering, while waiting for God’s power. God, on the other hand, is patient, waiting to see how the suffering will do us good before delivering us.