The Awesomeness of God
I enjoyed my time sharing at Morning Star Assisted Living today. We have a small and faithful group of residents who join our services. Today we actually had a higher attendance than normal. Some great seniors to come alongside and encourage.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 ESV
This verse is taken from the “song” Moses and people sang in praise to the Lord after crossing the Red Sea. The early verses of the song include this declaration of praise, “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2 ESV)
Both of these verses reveal words of fully embracing the Lord for who He is and what He does. It is unfortunate that the Children of Israel were so prone to forget the Lord’s faithfulness and power and give in to fear and to complain as they continue their journey to the promise land. But at least for now the words on that occasion are words that speak to us today.
What is of note is the declaration in verse 2 of, “this is my God and I will praise, my father’s God and I will exalt him.” A key to fully embracing the awesomeness of God is when the God of history, the God of parents is affirmed as “my” God. This is the saving God. This is the delivering God. This is the powerful God. What a God to have on our side! God is faithful to reveal Himself to each generation in His own way, to reveal that He can be trusted and that He is the God of salvation.
Through the plagues on Egypt the people of God could see that “their God” was the God among gods. The Lord God’s power was displayed as greater than the magicians and the gods of Egypt. God revealed Himself in separating His people from the Egyptians. After the first three plagues, the rest of the plagues only came upon the Egyptians and not in the Land of Goshen were God’s people resided. That in itself should have been convincing enough.
He is the God who is “majestic in holiness.” Human recognition or “majesty” is derived from political power, stature, possessions or position. For the Lord it is His holiness. As the New Testament would declare of Jesus, “one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26 NIV) “No flesh can dwell in His presence,” but He has made it possible for us to experience His power and relationship with Him.
I like the words of Romans, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33 NIV)
There is no one like our God! His works, His ways, His wonders, leave us in awe. This is reflected in the words of a Hillsong worship chorus,
And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you
At times is good for us to just pause and to reflect on the Lord. Who He is. His faithfulness. His love. His power. His wonders. His awesomeness!
Prayer for today…. Lord, we pause and give You the praise that is due Your name. How awesome You are! Thank You for being our salvation and our wonder-working God. My our lives be focused on Your character and faithfulness to us in all circumstances.