Our Great God

“There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior.” Isaiah 45:11

“Why is God great?” was the question presented to us by our choir director as we were warming up by singing, “How Great is our God.” As others began to answer, I pondered the question in my heart.  

When I think of God’s greatness, I think on a grand scale.  I think about the creator of the universe, speaking everything into existence. I think of his gentle hands forming Adam and Eve. I think of His power that parted the Red Sea and caused the walls of Jericho to crumble and fall. 

The Bible has many references to the right hand of God. Isaiah 48:13 says “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens;” Psalm 118:16 praises God, “The Lord’s right hand is lifted high, the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalm 89:13 says “Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.” Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

What amazes me is that this powerful, mighty God also uses His hand to reach down to us. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  When John fell at the Lord’s feet at the sight of His mighty presence in Revelation 1:17, Jesus placed his right hand on him and said, “Do not be afraid.”

God, who set the planets into orbit, who placed us at just the right distance from the sun, who breathed His very own breath into Adam’s lungs, God who is so Holy that Seraphim in His throne room cry out continually, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) is the same God who loves us personally.  Isaiah 57:15, “Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’" God reaches down to help us. To love on us. To lift us up. (Psalm 40:2)

God sent His Son to feel the pain of this earth and suffer and die for us, His Son who knew no sin, who, himself, was God. (Philippians 2:6, John 1:1) Those same hands that stretched over the raging sea when He calmed the storm by saying, “Peace, be still,” the hands that touched the blind, the deaf and the lame and made them whole were the same hands that were nailed to a cross for you and me.  That’s amazing and quite humbling.

God is Great.  How great is He?  Greater than we could ever comprehend!