GOD works for US!

Posted on by Pam Larson

Isaiah 64:4

From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
John Piper, in a sermon “God Works For Those Who Waith For Him”

The text suggests that in working for those who wait for him, God does something utterly unique. “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides thee, who works for those who wait for him.” No one has ever heard or seen the likes of this God. Isaiah contrasts Jehovah with the Babylonian gods in Isaiah 46:1–4. Bel and Nebo are the Jupiter and Mercury of Babylon, and they are as helpless as their falling images. They have to be carried. Their subjects have to work for them. But the Lord of Israel is the creator, and he does the carrying.

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are on beasts and cattle; these things you carry are loaded as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop, they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity. Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am He, and to grey hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save (cf. Jeremiah 10:5).

What sets Jehovah apart from all the other gods is that he does not need to be carried. He has made, and he will carry. He will work for those who wait for him. The distinguishing mark of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus is that he magnifies his greatness by coming down to work for us. It says in Isaiah 30:18, “He exalts himself to show mercy to you.” God aims to be an utterly unique, wonderful, and exalted God, and the way he does it is by condescending to forgive sinners and work for those who wait for him. Therefore, no eye has ever seen the likes of such a God; it is without parallel anywhere that the Creator should come down and work for the creature.

To read or listen to the rest of the sermon, click here: