I AM GOD!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Lord is the eternal God. 

He is the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired, and he will not become weary. 

No one can find a limit to his understanding. Isaiah 40:28 

In the face of all of the enemies amassed against them in Isaiah’s day, God’s people cried out to Him. They accused Him of not understanding. They accused Him of not acting in justice. It was as if they believed God had turned a blind eye to them in their earthly struggles. Israel said, “Our way is hidden from the LORD, and justice for us is ignored by our God.” 

So the LORD answered His people. He would not stand by while they accused Him of negligence or apathy. He questioned them. Have you not heard that I am the eternal God? I am the beginning and the end. Before Israel was ever thought of, before Aadam and Eve were created, I have existed. I have held the future of all nations in my hand. There is nothing that does not live and move and have its being apart from my omnipotence. There is know hidden knowledge that has not been revealed to me. I am omniscient. So do you really think that I do not know the injustice of Assyria against you? Do you think that I do not hear the hoofbeats of the Babylonians waiting in the wings? There is no limit to what I know and understand. Be still and know that I am God. 

God then promised His people renewed strength. But strength would come to the weak and the weary. It would not come to the impatient and the accusers. Those who wait for the LORD will receive new strength. Those who place their hope in Him and not in themselves will be renewed. Those who trust that He is the God who fulfills His promises, the promises of grace and mercy to a thousand generations will find comfort and peace in their troubled times. They can trust in Him because He is the eternal God. 

Dear sisters and brothers, loved by the LORD God, the path before Immanuel Lutheran Church and its ministries may seem so uncertain right now. The many pieces we must fit together to plan for our future may seem so scattered and misfit that we can be easily tempted to believe that our struggles are hidden from God’s sight. Let us, then, not become disillusioned at this moment in time. The eternal God knows what we are facing. He hears our prayers and groans and petitions. He is attentive to our needs even when we cannot perceive Him working for our good. 

Let us then cast all of our anxieties about the future of our ministries upon Him knowing full well that He cares for us. Let us focus on His promise that He will work all things for the good of those who have placed their trust in Him. Let us wait upon Him as we see how He will bless and guide our decisions and planning. He will not grow tired or weary in shepherding us. Let us wait upon the Lord. 

Blessings,

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher 

Coming up in the near future at Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ On Sunday, February 4, our K-8th grade students will sing at the opening of the 10:30 AM service. 

❖ On Sunday, February 4, there will be an annual voters’ meeting to vote on weighty matters such as the future of the school ministry, the future of the early childhood ministry, the calling of teachers and a principal, and our current financial concerns. All Immanuel voters are encouraged to attend this meeting after the second service. 

❖ On Monday, February 4, there will be an early release at 1:40 PM with bus service provided. 

❖ On Wednesday, February 14, there will be early release without bus service at 2:00 PM following the school’s attendance of the Ash Wednesday service. The early release is to allow travel time for the faculty to attend that winter teachers’ conference. There will be no school on February 15 and 16 due to the teachers’ conference.