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How Great is God?

Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10

How great and mighty is God? Stretch your mind a moment. Meditate on the way He is described in the Bible, starting with some basic characteristics.

Omnipotence:
All powerful. Imagine unlimited power. A power that spoke the universe into existence from nothing. He established the laws that govern our reality. He holds it all together now.

Omniscience:
All knowing.  Imagine unlimited knowledge. Not only the hairs on our heads, but the very molecules of those hairs, the very atoms, the quarks... the perfect knowledge of the physical universe. But more: the interactions of the physical world - how it all fits together and how everything interacts. Abstract realities such as our thoughts and emotions... all known by God.

Eternality: 
Having neither beginning nor end. God exists apart from time. He created it. He is in no way limited by it, although He chooses to work within it in His dealings with us.

Now put these traits together.

A Being who possesses a perfect knowledge of everything at this time and every other time. One Who put it all in place to begin with and who continually keeps it in existence. Knowledge and power that stretch to every individual past, present, and future, beyond anything we can imagine.

Brain hurt?

Why bother thinking this through? Simply because our relationship with God takes on new meaning when we realize how truly awesome He is. Every aspect of our lives is affected.

For example, think about the Incarnation of Jesus: God becomes human. He loved us beyond comprehension. God the Son, Jesus Christ, set aside the glory we've just described and became human. Infinite humility in setting aside infinite power and knowledge. But that's just the beginning; Jesus then paid the ultimate price, shedding His blood for us on the cross. The perfectly innocent Creator took the guilt of every sin committed throughout time. He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)

How can we not be overcome with thankfulness at this infinite sacrifice? We are moved to live for Him!

Consider other examples and questions:

• Why do we worry when the God of the universe is in control and cares for us?
• How can we refuse to trust Him?
• How could we doubt anything He has said?
• In light of His holiness and sacrifice, how can we tolerate sin in our lives?
• Why do we focus so much energy on the temporal and so little on the eternal?
• Why would we hold anything back from this loving God, Who knows and wants the best for our lives?

As we answer these and similar questions, we find the practical benefit. Our perceptions and priorities are naturally brought in line with His expectations. We are drawn closer to this wonderful Being.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24