I love singing in the choir. It gives me a special time to praise the Lord with fellow believers. Even though I can’t see most of the congregation, I can hear their voices singing adoration for our Lord. As I am drawn toward thoughts of heaven, I imagine what it will be like to praise Him with believers and the angelic beings as well.
One song we sing is: “Behold Our God.” I love it because it reminds me that there is nothing on earth that compares with our Lord! Another great thought to meditate upon.
The song writer starts with a verse that reminds me of the conversation Job had with the Lord, but is actually from the book of Isaiah.
“Who has held the oceans in his hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?” (1)
The verse reminds us of His power, creativity, and unmatched intellect. Humans value intelligence, and now artificial intelligence. But when I asked AI how many grains of sand are on the earth, it gave me an estimated answer of 7.5-21 sextillion, depending on how you measure. A sextillion is 1 with 21 zeros, so 7.5-21 times 1000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Yet our Lord knows exactly how many and where each one is!
Here are Isaiah’s thoughts on the matter.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (2)
Our song continues,
“Kings and nations tremble at his voice
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of his words?
Who can teach, the one who knows all things?
Who can fathom all his wondrous deeds?”
The Lord’s spoken words can create and irrevocably destroy. They illustrate His complete sovereignty. The power of our military, economy, and entrepreneurs pale in comparison.
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (3)
We place a great deal of emphasis on people who say they’re going to do something and then actually follow through. There is One you can always count on.
The next line, “All creation rises to rejoice,” reminds me of Isaiah, describing how even the natural realm will rejoice when King Jesus makes all things new.
“You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.” (4)
This chorus of the song went straight to my heart and spirit.
“Behold our God, seated on his throne
Come, let us adore him.
Behold our king, nothing can compare
Come, let us adore him”
What struck me was the line, “Behold our King, nothing can compare.” The God who loves us deeply is sitting on His rightful throne. He is sovereign. None of us can compare with the Lord. It seems obvious, but our sinful nature tries to make us into something that compares. We accumulate wealth, inflate our egos at work with promotions and job status, drive cars that are expensive and make our lawns greener and our tv screens bigger. I’m not implying that we all do this, but I think our consumer driven lifestyles reflect a desire to live like kings.
When we compare our lifestyle with others, we head down the wide path, not the narrow one. Social media subtly lures us into this sin. As Christians, we have a choice, and we know the Lord expects us to honor Him not only with our money, but with our lifestyle.
Nothing can compare with our Lord. He is more majestic than the Rocky Mountains and more powerful than a nuclear bomb. Our Lord is smarter and wiser than AI or any of the greatest people who have graced this earth.
There is also something else. He is more loving, more forgiving, and kinder than we will ever be. He loves us despite our inclination to sin and rebel against Him. Because His love is perfect. Nothing compares with perfection.
“To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compares with him?”
Isaiah 40:18 ESV
- Written by: Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, Stephen Altrogge, Album Risen, Released 2011
- Isaiah 55:9 ESV
- Isaiah 55:11 NIV (capitalization mine)
- Isaiah 55:12 NIV
