16 DECEMBER
Inimitable
‘Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’ Isaiah 7:14
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 55:6–13
The Lord God has impressed a signature upon his works, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering of the glow-worm proclaims his glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In his Word likewise he is inimitable. He has a style and manner peculiarly his own. What he declares in Isaiah 55 is confirmed by the whole Scripture, My thoughts are not your thoughts … The superiority of his thoughts to ours causes a proportionable difference in his manner of operation. His ways are above, and often contrary to, our conceptions. He sometimes produces great effects by means which, to us, appear unsuitable and weak. Thus he gave Gideon a complete victory, not by providing him an army equal to that of the enemy, but by 300 men armed only with earthen pitchers and lamps.
We have but slight thoughts of holiness and therefore are but slightly affected by the evil of sin. But though he is rich in mercy, no wisdom but his own could have proposed an expedient by which the exercise of mercy towards sinners could be made to correspond with his justice and truth and the honour of his government. But infinite wisdom and infinite love provided a way in which mercy and truth meet together, and his inflexible righteousness is displayed in perfect harmony with the peace of those who have transgressed his holy laws, and God appears not only gracious, but just, in restoring rebels to favour. This is the greatest of all his works and exhibits the most glorious revelations of his perfections which creatures are capable of conceiving. The means are answerable to the grandeur of the design.… Behold—attend, admire and believe—a virgin shall conceive …
FOR MEDITATION:
Salvation! what a glorious plan,
Truth, Wisdom, Justice, Power and Love,
How suited to our need!
In all their glory shone;
The grace that raises fallen man,
When JESUS left the courts above,
Is wonderful indeed!
And died to save his own.
SERMON SERIES: MESSIAH, NO. 5 [1/6], ISAIAH 7:14
Milo 