Download “In the World” for February 4, 202 here.
DISTRUSTING THE POWER COMPANY
During last month’s winter storms, the Portland, Oregon area was hit especially hard, with one hundred twenty-seven thousand people going without power for days. The Portland General Electric (PGE) webpage and mobile app were unreliable, as well, even telling residents that their address didn’t exist. The company worked diligently, mobilizing over fifteen hundred employees and calling in crews from surrounding states. Within two days, nearly a hundred thousand people had their electricity restored. Still, some went five days or more without heat at home, leading Portland resident Jai Sen to say, “I still have no honest answer from PGE as to what to expect, and I don’t know if I could trust anything provided at this point.”
TRUSTING IN THE POWER OF THE LORD
Today’s passage from Isaiah is a testament to the trustworthiness of God. With imagery similar to God’s words in Job 40–41, the Lord is portrayed in glory and power, for the one who created the earth and the cosmos has no equal. Yet this tremendous God employs that power to come to the aid of those who hope in him.
- What was your most extreme encounter with cold weather?
- What is something in your life that has proved less reliable than you expected it to be?
- Where have you experienced the power of God in your life?
Additional Resources
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play media in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
- Music Video, Traditional: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Sovereign Grace
- Music Video, Multicultural: “The Promise” by William McDowell, Nicole Binion, and Dunsin Oyekan
- Music Video, Contemporary: “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle
- Asbury Bible Commentary on “The Power of God (Isaiah 40:12–31)”
- Michael J. Chan on Isaiah 40:21–31
- Tim Mackie’s article, “Isaiah and the Suffering Servant King: The Strangest Good News”