The solution to the Christians earthly troubles, anxieties, distresses and cares is the knowledge that their all-glorious and all-good Triune LORD is in total control of all things. We are never helpless victims of earthly calamities, but in all circumstances of life “we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) and loves us still and forever. Here is the source of a prayerful, peaceful and praised filled life.

It is presupposed in the very act of God creating. It is affirmed in God’s promises of future fulfillment of his promises. It is stated explicitly by Jesus prior to his ascension, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). It is the basis of the eternal security of all who trust Jesus for their salvation (Rom. 8:31-39). It is the absolute, unqualified, insurmountable sovereignty of God. It identifies God as God.

There is perhaps no place in Scripture where this is made more abundantly clear than the book of Isaiah, and brought into astonishing focus in Isaiah 44:24-45:7.

Isaiah 44:24-45:7 can be divided into two sections that are identified by the same statement: “Thus says the LORD” (44:24; 45:1). From 44:24-28 the reader and listener are accosted with God naming himself by what he does.

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD,
who made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself,
who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners,
who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,
who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers,
who says of Jerusalem, “She shall be inhabited,” and of the cities of Judah, “They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins;
who says to the deep, “Be dry: I will dry up your rivers;”
who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose”; saying of Jerusalem, “She shall be built,” and of the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”

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