With Wings Like Eagles

Isaiah 40:25, NIRV

²⁵ “So who will you compare me with?
Who is equal to me?” says the Holy One.

Verses marked NIRV are from the New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Message:

Have you ever paid attention to the words used to describe God in the songs we sing in our worship service? Can you tell me some of the names that you remember hearing to describe God? (Allow children to answer.) Some of the names that we may call God are King, Yahweh, Shepherd, or even Abba. We may refer to God as Lord or Holy One.

Our words for God are symbols that express what we believe God is like. What is a symbol? (Allow children to answer.) A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something through a picture or image. God is like a shepherd. God is like a king. The Bible uses many symbols to help us understand what God is like. Here are a few. Listen to Isaiah 66:13 (NIRV). (Read the passage.)

¹³As a mother comforts her child,
I will comfort you.
You will find comfort in Jerusalem.”

The Bible compares God to a mother comforting her child.

Listen to Psalms 144:1 (NIRV). (Read the passage.)

144Give praise to the Lord, my Rock.
He trains my hands for war.
He trains my fingers for battle.

The Bible compares God to a mighty rock.

Or, how about this one, Isaiah 31:4 (NIRV). (Read the passage.)

⁴ The Lord says to me,

“A powerful lion stands over its food and growls.
A lot of shepherds can be brought together to drive it away.
But the lion is not frightened by their shouts.
It is not upset by the noise they make.
In the same way, I will come down from heaven.
I will fight on Mount Zion and on its hills.
Nothing will drive me away.
I am the Lord who rules over all.

That verse compares God to a fierce lion.

Each of these passages tells us something about God. But God is not exactly like any of these things.

God is bigger than all the symbols that we use to describe God. Isaiah 40 asks, “So who will you compare me with?” The right answer is that nothing in the entire world truly compares to God. God is greater than any person, lion, or rock. Nothing in the entire world is equal to God!

Today is the day to complete our poem.

Remember, so far,

In the beginning, there was no shape for the earth’s covering.
But God’s Spirit was hovering.
It was dark. And God named the darkness “night.”
God wanted more, so God separated the darkness from the light.
The light was named “day,” as God thought it should.
When God saw this, God said, “This is good!”
Samuel heard a voice. Was it a dream? Who could it be?
When it woke him, he said, “Here I am; you called out to me.”
I wonder how you know when God might be calling out?
Be still, listen, and don’t shout.
Listen to God for what you need to do.
God spoke to Samuel, but what is God saying to you?
On the shores of Galilee.
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
Leading others to Jesus, like the brothers
Shows the love of God, as we “fish” for others.
For I do love him,
The Great I Am.
Actions speak louder than words; that is true,
But in following Jesus, it is both “to say and to do.”
When both are done, trust is a huge part,
Then God’s love is both seen and felt from our heart.

As we conclude our poem.

God, no matter the symbol, word, or phrase.
You are bigger, more wonderful, and worthy of praise.
Who is equal to you, O Holy One?
The answer is quite simple, there is none.

Now that this poem is completed, I have it printed on a piece of paper for you to take home with you. I encourage you to post it somewhere in your house and have conversations about it with your family.

Prayer:

Loving parent, powerful lion, tender shepherd, mighty rock, fortress, shield, light, warrior, just ruler, and great physician. You are all these things to me, O God. Yet, you are bigger and more wonderful than all the words I use to praise you! Amen.