September 29

The Almighty God.—Isaiah 9:6.

Not only is proper deity ascribed to Jesus, but also all those essential and infinite qualities by which the character of Jehovah is distinguished. Hence he is represented as the “holy, holy, Lord of hosts.” He is called “the only wise God,” “the true God,” “God, over all, blessed for ever.” The prophets describe him as the “Mighty God,” that is, the God of omnipotence, “the Almighty.” It is not necessary that we refer to his divine and essential works, to perceive the greatness of his power. As the Mediator between God and man, as the Shiloh and Messiah of the world, he gave the most striking display of his unbounded strength. The word of his power effected the most marvellous and unheard-of miracles: he only had to speak, and all he willed was produced. Disease, misery, and woe, vanished before the rays of his celestial face. He expelled demons, created and multiplied a few loaves, so as to feed thousands; he brought back again departed spirits, reanimated dead bodies, and hushed the noisy tempest into a perfect calm. When he spake to those sent to him to arrest him, they fell as dead men at his feet. All power was given unto him, both in heaven and on earth. It was by virtue of his might that he overcame all the powers of hell, spoiled death, and burst the barriers of the tomb, and thus proved himself to be the Son of God with power. Had our Redeemer only possessed the ability of a creature, he would have been pressed to the earth: the design of salvation would never have been effected; Satan would have obtained perpetual triumphs, and the myriads of the human race would have been lost for ever. But Jehovah laid help upon one that was "mighty"—upon his own fellow, the Lord mighty in battle, and able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him.