Little Details and God

The old cliche goes, "The devil's in the detail."  This statement is not typically to espouse a belief in Satan or God, but I am convinced humans give the devil too much credit and God not enough.  I've also heard the large print gives and the small print takes away.  Again, God is intimately acquainted with all the most minute detail that escapes our notice, and all we have is a gift from Him.  Just because business owners and world leaders do not have much time for fellow citizens, it doesn't follow God is anything like that.  He is God, and thus has knowledge and interest in every person and details beyond our notice.

I was struck by the details God considers when I read through a promise of coming judgment God would bring upon his people through Isaiah.  Isaiah 5:27-28 says, "No one will be weary or stumble among them, no one will slumber or sleep; nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, nor the strap of their sandals be broken; ²⁸ whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses' hooves will seem like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind."  God was determined to bring judgment upon the nation of Israel and would see their vigorous enemies would have success--right down to providing good footing for each soldier and their belts well-fastened.  Even as God ensured the shoes of the children of Israel were sustained in the wilderness after the Exodus, God would make their the sandal straps of the invaders strong.  Their knots, leather and weapons would be miraculously improved.  God would see to it their arrows stayed sharp, not blunted even if they fell to the ground.  Any hope their bows would snap when drawn or misfire were misguided, for God would see it done.

Isn't this amazing?  While generals and officers were busy counting men and considering strategies of defense, God was considering belts and sandal straps.  While the watchman in Israel was drowsy, every one of the invaders was wide awake and vigilant.  God did not do this because He is cruel or jilted but in accordance with all He has revealed in the Law of Moses which held forth blessing to those who obeyed and curses upon all those who forsook the LORD.  Deuteronomy 28 and other places in the Pentateuch explains in expansive detail the consequences of departing from God and His ways.  All aspects of life would be negatively affected by their sin, yet their returning to the LORD brought with it countless blessing.

Immense heavenly bodies far beyond our sight even high-powered telescopes cannot perceive God sees clearly, and He comprehends the tiniest particles we cannot identify clearly with a microscope.  He is able to discern what the wisest counselors cannot, and His wisdom and knowledge is infinite.  God has made Himself known to us through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit by the Gospel and thus a broken sandal strap does not mean God is against us.  These little details provide us the opportunity to trust, thank and praise the God who rules on high and among men, who knows every little thing and how we feel.  That good night's sleep?  Thank the LORD and put your trust in Him--not your chamomile tea.  Did you have a poor night's sleep?  It may have been the best opportunity for prayer and fellowship with God than you have had in a month.  Praise Him who gives us strength, keeps us upright and is the lifter of our heads.