Why God is God

God is God because He will act alone when necessary. And because humanity is filled with imperfections and failures God stands out. Because He will do what we don't do. He will act in full righteousness and holiness and sometimes when He does we don't see it or understand it. 

Isaiah 63 gives us that image of God being God and acting alone. 

Isaiah 63:1–2 (ESV) Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?

The question is simple. The Lord is crimson stained and the prophet asks on behalf of the people, why? 

Isaiah 63:3 (ESV) “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 

God did what no one else would do. He judged the people. He took vengeance on those who hated His people. 

Then God says this was the purpose of His wrath - to bring about a new era of redemption. 

Isaiah 63:4 (ESV) For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.

Listen. There's only one theological key that makes this make sense. Jesus is the Lord God who pronounced wrath on those who despised Him and then took that wrath on Himself and brought redemption. And He did this alone!

Isaiah 63:5 (ESV) I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.

Then the prophet responds as is only appropriate in light of this revelation. With praise and gratitude. 

Isaiah 63:7–8 (ESV) I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.

How can God become a savior to such a sinful people? By taking the punishment of their sins upon Himself. 

He associated with their affliction. 

Isaiah 63:9 (ESV) In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Paul says it like this.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Gospel is counter-intuitive. Which is why it's so hard for people to finally grasp. Even Christians often fail to realize that God saved them and they did not save themselves. And this is what makes God, God!

He acted alone to seek and save the ones who did not deserve His grace. 

And I'm thankful.