Remember This and Stand Firm (Isaiah 46:9-10 [11])

...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' [¹¹calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.] —Isaiah 46:9-10 [11]

When Babylon, the once exalted instrument of God’s judgment, fell to Cyrus the emperor of Persia, the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo were exposed as impotent. The idols were simply carried off "as burdens on weary beasts" (Isaiah 46:1). As Babylon had been, now Cyrus was the appointed “bird of prey” carrying out God’s unstoppable purpose (46:11). Israel’s 70-year captivity was coming to an end and the prophet Isaiah exhorted the exiles to remember and stand firm (46:8).  [Read more about Isaiah 46:8, our banner verse for discipleship this ministry year.]

What were they to remember? That the God who had made and carried them was God (46:4). He said, "I am God and there is no other I am God and there is none like me." Throughout history the gods of this world have been exposed for the frauds that they are. They cannot compare to God almighty and they cannot stand against Him. When all else gives way, those resting in the assurance that God alone is God will never be shaken.

Three rock-solid truths give us a firm place to stand and offer us great hope when the circumstances of our lives threaten to overwhelm us.

1. God declares the future

God describes Himself as "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.”

We are often caught by surprise. In an instant we can be shaken by unforeseen circumstances. A momentary lapse in judgment, and a wife is widowed and her children are fatherless. One day, a routine check-up and the next day, a cancer diagnosis. One moment, a vice president with a promising future and the next, a casualty of reorganization. But God faces no unexpected circumstances. He knows exactly what is coming and He has known it from the beginning.

2. There is design and purpose in all that God does

He says, “I have purposed.”

God knows what’s coming because what is coming is according to plan—His plan. When circumstances don’t make sense to us, we can stand firm in confidence that they make sense to the One who planned them. 

There is reason behind the circumstances in our lives that appear to have no reason. There is sense to what seems senseless. There is a point to what seems pointless. There is intention in what appears irrational, and wisdom in what seems absurd. God does not act capriciously. Rest assured, there is purpose in all that He ordains.

3. God’s purpose cannot be thwarted

God declares, “‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ …I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”

Our human plans are easily and often thwarted. Unlike God, we are limited in what we know, limited in what we can do, and limited in what we can control. God has no such limitations. Nothing exceeds His power. Nothing is outside of His control. He spoke and Cyrus, the most powerful man in the world, yielded to His bidding. Mountains move at His command. “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Psalm 50:1).

At the conclusion of Isaiah 46, Yahweh revealed where His unthwartable purpose was heading:

“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory” (Isaiah 46:12-13).

Freedom from the captivity of Babylon was a mere foretaste of freedom from the captivity of sin. Just as Cyrus was sent to break the yoke of Israel’s slavery, so the Son of God was coming to break the yoke of human bondage. He would bring salvation to Zion. Unreachable righteousness was coming near, salvation was coming to Israel!

God’s counsel stood and His purpose was accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory forever and ever!

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For Reflection

1. What circumstances in your life feel out of control?

2. How does the comparison of "man-man idols" to the living God increase your courage and strengthen your hope?

3. Ask God to remind you today of His living, active strength at work in and through your circumstances. Thank Him that He has a plan for everything that is happening in your life and the lives of everyone in the world. 

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David Michael is executive director of Truth78. He and his wife Sally co-founded the ministry to pass the promises of God on to the next generation.