We enjoyed some delicious sweet corn from this produce stand near Farmersville PA last week as well as our visit with the young Mennonite farmer, who seemed pleased that we observed the neatness of his farmstand.
“From God’s Perspective”
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing” (Isaiah 40:21-23).
We enjoy walking along the farm trail between the corn fields across from our home (although they harvested the corn from both of these fields last week). At this season grasshoppers are abundant, seemingly everywhere you look, hopping to and fro. They “sing” as they scrape their rear legs against their wings.
When we’re on the farm trail the sights, bug sounds and heat of the summer sure hasn’t changed much for us since we were young.
Isaiah 40 is a great chapter which contains one of the greatest expressions of the glory and majesty of God in the entire Bible. Today’s verse gives us God’s perspective stating that “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.” Indeed God is seated on His throne, for He reigns supreme over heaven and earth.
The Bible says “its people are like grasshoppers.” What candid bluntness regarding the relative temporary and frail condition of man! The grasshopper is just a tiny insect compared to me and has a lifespan of only 4-12 months. The ones that we saw as children are long gone and are nothing more than a brief memory. And with a longer, let alone, eternal perspective that’s the same for us on our earthly journey!
Nature and history verifies this again and again. Are we any different today? I suspect each living generation believes there is a special significance to its own existence. But the Bible declares, “generations come and generations go” (Ecclesiastes 1:4). And so will ours.
The imagery of the grasshopper is contrasted with “He who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.” Another Scripture text asks in amazement, “What is man that thou art mindful of him?”
But praise be to God, the Almighty God is mindful of us. He loves and cares for each one, although, in comparison to Deity, we are like grasshoppers. He provided His Son, who came down to dwell among us. He gave His life for the fallen human race and then He rose from the dead and ever lives to make intercession for us. And one glorious day He is coming again!
I urge you to keep that perspective before you today as we go through life. Maybe you’ll recall this message the next time you see a grasshopper!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father God, Your almighty power is balanced with Your tender compassion toward all of creation. It is because of Your abundant mercies that we are not consumed or utterly forsaken. You provide exceedingly more than the bare essentials for our earthly dwelling. Your abiding presence provides faithfulness, stability, and expectant hope for every challenge we face. Thank You for clothing us with dignity, providing us with salvation and for abiding with us day in and day out. Amen.
After seeing this sign we have a message idea using this text:
“For this God is our God for ever and ever;
He will be our guide even to the end” (Psalm 48:14).
Today we are participating in a “Community Day” in which one of the companies we serve as chaplains will cease operations for one day and pay the regular wages and salary for all who choose to serve their community in a service project. One group will be going to two separate nursing facilities to visit with elderly and disabled residents. Another group will be rehabilitating a former school building for a community center. Ester will be joining us. Last night we had some fun with one of the workday t-shirts!
Today’s Suggested Musicand SupplementalResources
“One Day” Video We both love this old hymn by J. Wibur Chapman. The tune is a contemporized rendition by Jeff Johnson and is different than we normally sing, but thankfully the powerful lyrics are not altered.
“The Old Rugged Cross” Video Jeff Johnson
“You Are God Alone” Video Phillips, Craig & Dean
“God And God Alone” Video Steve Green
“How Great Is Our God” Video Michael W. Smith
Isaiah 40 Read
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
Daily Encouragement 