Christian Union National Fast: America Returning to God, August 1-14, 2024
by grace ann arvey, director of christian union america
"Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust… All the nations are yet as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothingness and emptiness." - Isaiah 40:15,17
In these verses, the prophet Isaiah magnifies the incomparable greatness of our God, putting the importance of our nation into a right perspective. The nations, with all of their pomp, power, and multitudes, are yet as nothing before Him. They are but a drop in the bucket, insignificant and easily lost. The coastlands, lifted like fine dust, signify the ease with which God can govern the greatest of a nation’s endeavors.
The realization that all of a nation’s power and grandeur is but dust in the sight of the Almighty is humbling. What is monumental to us is mere triviality to Him. Our concerns and fears, which loom large in our eyes, are under His complete sovereign control. Isaiah’s purpose is not only to humble us, but to lead us to a profound sense of awe and worship of our holy God, who is set apart from all the nations and sovereign in all and over all, holding the entire universe in the palm of His hand.
Only a few verses later, Isaiah questions us:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth… who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness” (Isaiah 40:21).
Of course the question is rhetorical. We do know; we have heard. Yet, in our daily lives, how often do we rely on our own strength, wisdom, and resources to sustain us and give us a feigned sense of control and comfort? How often does our nation rely on its own power, programs, and policies to uphold and save itself?
Isaiah calls us to live faithfully according to this knowledge with confidence in our God and King. Isaiah reminds us what we too often forget– our God is sovereign, holding the universe in the palm of His hand, working all things together for our good and His glory for those who love and trust Him. Let us fix our eyes on the one true King of Kings and Lord of Lords and trust in Him alone, and let us pray for the entire nation to return to God.
May this truth bring comfort to our hearts. Though we are but dust, God’s infinite power and wisdom are at work for our good. We can cast our anxieties upon Him, knowing He is more than able to handle every care and concern. We can live in reverent awe of His majesty and rest in the assurance of His providential care. We won’t put our confidence in men or nations that disappoint us and fail; we will put our trust in God alone who will never fail, never leave, and never forsake His children. Putting our faith into action, let us pray continually for all people in the nation to return to God:
Lord, renew our strength and faith in You! You alone are our hope, our shield, our fortress, our God in whom we trust. Awaken the nation to look to you as the only way, truth, and life. Raise up godly Christian leaders in our nation who will advance Your kingdom in our land. Open the ears of many in the nation to repent and believe in you. Renew us and cleanse us for our good and Your glory. In the name of King Jesus, Amen.
