“To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?”
(Isaiah 40:18)
Perhaps the simplest and yet most comprehensive name for God in all of Scripture is that solemn declaration of Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14—“I AM.” This majestic name captures the eternality of His self-existence, His utter independence, and the unfathomable reality of His being. Such a God, whose being is without beginning and without end, cannot be likened to anything within the bounds of creation, a reality which Isaiah’s question confirms: “To whom then will ye liken God?”
The infinite perfection of God shines forth in His being. He exists from eternity to eternity—before time began, before the foundations of the earth were laid, before the stars were strung across the heavens. He is limitless and without measure. Nothing can confine Him; no place contains Him; no mind comprehends Him.
He is not made up of parts or changeable traits, but is singular in essence, infinite in purity, and absolute in perfection. He is holy, wise, powerful, just, merciful, gracious, and true—and not because He possesses these qualities, but because He is the fullness of them in their highest and endless expression.
Further, God is the self-sufficient source of all being. He gives life and breath to all things (Acts 17:25), but none give to Him. He sustains all, yet is sustained by none. Creation, with all its glory, draws its existence from Him; yet He remains untouched, unchangeable, and undiminished.
Even the most staggering acts of divine condescension—His love for the world, the giving of His Son, and the upholding of saints—are born out of His own free and sovereign will. His actions flow from the infinite well of His goodness and power, not from any deficiency in Himself because His perfections are full, His being immutable, and His purposes sure.
The Lord cleansed the earth with a flood, not because His glory was threatened, but to demonstrate His justice.[1] He redeems sinners, not out of deficiency, but out of the fullness of His mercy. He governs all things, not as a distant power, but as the infinitely wise and perfectly holy Sovereign. So when Isaiah asks, “To whom will ye liken God?” he exposes the folly of idolatry and the presumption of finite creatures attempting to grasp the Infinite.
This truth serves to humble us. What are we in comparison to such a God? And yet, in His mercy, He calls us to know Him, trust Him, and walk before Him. As we grow in the knowledge of His attributes, our reverence must deepen as our faith rests on the character of the One who is without equal and without beginning or end. Therefore, let all creatures be silent before Him.
Contemplation:
- Reflecting on Divine Perfection. I am awestruck by God’s infinitely perfect nature. His existence, not bound by time or space, is truly beyond human comprehension. This realization humbles me, reminding me that my best is less than nothing when compared to the majestic grandeur of my Creator God.
- The Source of All Being. God’s role as the source of all being fills me with a sense of reverence and awe. Every breath and moment of life is a testament to His sustaining power. This knowledge deepens my gratitude and dependence on Him.
- Humility in God’s Presence. In light of God’s immeasurable perfection, the realization that my actions cannot add to or diminish from His glory teaches me to live in a state of humble service, seeking to reflect His love and grace in all I do.
- Trusting in Perfect Providence. The understanding of God’s perfect nature strengthens my trust in His providence. Knowing that He is in control, that His plans are flawless and His wisdom boundless, gives me peace and confidence to face life’s uncertainties.
Prayer (Adoration):
O Infinite and Eternal God, the One who is without beginning and without end, I bow in reverence before You. To whom indeed shall I liken You, Lord? There is none beside You, none before You, none who can stand with You. You are the “I AM,” the self-existent One, dwelling in unapproachable light, full of glory, wisdom, and might. Heaven cannot contain You, and the earth is Your footstool. All that is exists by You and for You, and without You there is nothing.
You are perfect in all Your ways. There is no shadow of turning with You. No flaw mars Your justice; no stain pollutes Your holiness; no ignorance blemishes Your knowledge. In every attribute, You are infinite and eternal. Your understanding is unsearchable, Your wisdom unbounded, Your mercy tender and everlasting. All things are upheld by Your power. By Your providence all things are governed. By Your love, sinners are saved. Yet in Your holiness none may approach You but by the blood of the Lamb.
You need nothing, for all fullness dwells within You. We add nothing to You by our praise, and yet You delight to dwell with the humble and contrite. Though the nations are as a drop in the bucket, You are mindful of Your people and cause all things to work for their good. What grace is this—that the Almighty should stoop to behold the sons of men, and call them unto Himself!
How glorious You are, O Lord! No idol can represent You. No image can contain You. No thought can fully comprehend You. Yet in Your mercy, You have revealed Yourself through Your Word and through Your Son, that we might know You truly. I praise You for Your sovereign power, for Your infinite holiness, for Your boundless grace, and for Your unchanging truth.
Let every tongue confess that You alone are God. Let every knee bow in awe before Your throne. And let my soul, with joy and trembling, give You the worship that is due Your Name. May I never grow weary of declaring Your greatness, of proclaiming Your faithfulness, or of trusting in Your perfect ways. For You are high above all, worthy of all praise, and glorious forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Isaiah 40:18:
Isa. 46:5, Exod. 8:10, 1 Sam. 2:2, Mich 7:18.
[1] John Preston, Life Eternal (Imprinted at London: By Richard Badger, 1631), 124.
