Isaiah 40 – 43 and Little Akio

Isaiah 40 – 43

One might title the 40^th chapter of Isaiah as “How Great Thou Art.” It speaks of the glory of the Lord being revealed, how “the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” and asks “who else has held the oceans in his hands.”

When asked who he was, John the Baptist referenced Isaiah 40 when he answered: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

One of the best promises in the Bible is Isaiah 40:31: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” This verse has often sustained me and lifted me up.

Isaiah 41 speaks of God’s calling back the people of Abraham from the ends of the earth. He chose them and will not throw them away or abandon them. He holds them by their right hand and promises to help them, to be their Redeemer.

He speaks of what foolish, worthless things idols are.

In chapter 42, we have the promise of a servant the Lord has chosen, one who pleases him, one he puts his Spirit upon. This chosen one will bring justice to all who have been wronged, will be a light to guide the nations, will open the eyes of the blind, and so on.

What promises we find in Isaiah 43, which basically says: I will be with you. There is no other God, no other Savior.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Isaiah 44 – 48.

Little Akio

The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said 'Give me Liberty, or give me Death'?"

She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Little Akio, a bright foreign exchange student from Japan , who had his hand up: 'Patrick Henry, 1775' he said.’Very good!' Who said, 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?'

Again, no response except from Little Akio: 'Abraham Lincoln, 1863'.'Excellent!', said the teacher continuing, 'let's try one a bit more difficult... Who said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?' Once again, Akio's was the only hand in the air and he said: 'John F. Kennedy, 1961'.The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed of yourselves, Little Akio isn't from this country and he knows  more about our history than you do.' She heard a loud whisper: 'F*@ k the Japs,'.

'Who said that? I want to know right now!' she angrily demanded. Little Akio put his hand up, 'General MacArthur, 1945.'At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'

The teacher glares around and asks, 'All right!!! Now who said that!?Again, Little Akio says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.'

Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!' Little Akio jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, 'Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!'

  Now with almost mob hysteria someone said, 'You little shit If you say anything else, I'll kill you.'

Little Akio frantically yells at the top of his voice, 'Michael Jackson to the children testifying against him, 2004.'The teacher fainted. As the class gathered around  the teacher on the floor, someone said, 'Oh crap, We're screwed!'Little Akio said quietly................. 'The American people, November 4, 2008

Until next time…