Welcome to Day #22 in the Isaiah 40 Series!

Isaiah 40:22 “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.”

As we begin today I want to encourage you to ask the LORD to help you engage your mind as you read the following scriptures.  Think about the vivid picture that these verses paint; soak in the rich tones of His truth as you encounter God through His words that are still speaking, right now, to your heart; the one that He fashioned together.

Psalm 104:1-2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.”

Isaiah 45:12 “It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands and I ordained all their host.”

Isaiah 48:13  “Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand together.”

Isaiah 51:12-13a “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass, that you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth,
That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, as he makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?”

Reread this verse again.  We do not need to fear continually because of what we see around us or because of the workings of the enemy.  We are to fear (revere, respect and be in awe of) Him, our Maker, who stretched out the magnificent heavens and laid the very foundations of the earth. The foundations upon which we stand upon right now!

As you read this verse again, in Isaiah 51, what words do you see that we have already encountered in Isaiah 40?  

Comfort, and man being compared to grass, stuck out to me.  Isn’t it awesome how God keeps repeating key concepts to us; making sure we do not miss them.  I do not know about you, but I often need repetition to really solidify truth.  So, don’t miss the common denominators in these verses…

He, the LORD, our God, our Redeemer, our Maker… he stretches out the heavens, with His hand(s); He laid the foundation of the earth.  He is above.  So far above us.  He sits above the earth. 

Yet, He is also personal.  Colossians 3:1-4 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Keep seeking the things above; look to Christ, who is with God.  We can have oneness, unity, intimacy with the God of the universe, because of a personal relationship with Christ. The sentence above is quick to type, but, may we not rush through the
profoundness, miracle and awesomeness of it; let the Holy Spirit sink it right down in.  We can know the God above; and He also can be within– within our very hearts, within us; all the time.

Set your mind on the things above.  
Set your eyes on God above.  
Keep your gaze fixed on Him; look up and see! 

Deep Breaths:

1.  Memorize Isaiah 40:22

2.  Take some time to read this passage from Colossians 1. Ask God to illuminate what He wants you to see.  Write down these insights and ponder them throughout the day.

3.  How does God “being above the circle of the earth” bring comfort to your heart today?