Perspective

"Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;

    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust."

-Isaiah 40

Last week, as I prepared to teach, my week was spent soaking in Isaiah 40.  This chapter introduces the greatness of God, his amazing (I know...I use that word too much, but when God is discussed there just isn't a better word)....his amazing greatness, power and glory.  

This verse mentions for the first time an idiom that is common to our language, but communicates so much about perspective...it describes the nations "as a drop in the bucket", as "dust on the scales".  I know it's humbling, but it's also important to see the world right sized, in perspective.  From God's perspective the nations are nothing. In contrast to him and his power they are no more that a "drop in the bucket".  

What a picture of the greatness of God.

What an illustration of the nations in contrast.

If this is our God (and it is), then why do we worry when we hear a drop bounce around in the bucket, claiming great things?  It's all just a bit of dust on the scales.  God is sovereign over it all!