The Greatness Of Our God And His Name
Our God is truly awesome and magnificent beyond measure. If you’re wondering just how great He is, here’s a quick answer: God is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, completely good and loving, the Creator of the universe, and sovereign over all things.
In this article, we will explore the grandeur and glory of God by looking at His attributes, His creation, His interactions with humanity throughout history, the majesty of His name, and how we should respond to such an incredible God.
The Attributes of God Show His Greatness
God is All-Powerful
Our God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful and unlimited in might. As the creator of the universe, He has complete authority and power over all things. There is nothing too difficult for the Lord, as we read in Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord God!
It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” God’s limitless power is demonstrated through events like the parting of the Red Sea, bringing down the walls of Jericho, and the virgin birth of Jesus.
His infinite strength gives us confidence that He can handle any situation or need in our lives. As believers, we can fully trust that our omnipotent God has the power to guide, protect, and sustain us.
God is All-Knowing
Our God is omniscient, meaning He possesses all knowledge and wisdom. As 1 John 3:20 declares, “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” There is nothing hidden from the Lord’s understanding. He knows the past, present and future completely.
David proclaimed in Psalm 139:4, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.” God’s infinite knowledge includes every detail and thought about us. He knows the number of hairs on our head and when we rise and lie down. His understanding has no limit.
He knows the intricacies of the universe and the complexities of the human heart. We can take comfort in God’s complete knowledge, trusting Him fully with every aspect of our lives.
God is Ever-Present
Our God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at all times. As Psalm 139:7-8 states, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!”
There is no location in all of creation where God is not fully present. He transcends space and time. Throughout the Bible, we see demonstrations of God’s omnipresence through events like the burning bush, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night with Israel in the wilderness, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
As believers, we can take great comfort knowing God is always with us no matter where we are – whether we’re on the mountaintop or in the darkest valley. His continual presence empowers and guides us.
God is Completely Good and Loving
Our God is the essence of perfect goodness, righteousness, justice, love and mercy. As James 1:17 declares, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
God always acts in accordance with His holy character. Everything He does is perfectly good. The Lord demonstrated the depth of His love by sending His only Son Jesus to die for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His grace and forgiveness towards us is unwavering.
Even in the trials and pain of this world, we can trust God’s goodness and love are constant. He promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Our faithful God will never forsake those who put their hope in Him.
God’s Creation Displays His Greatness
The Vastness and Complexity of the Universe
The universe is unimaginably vast, containing billions of galaxies with countless stars and planets. Its size and age, estimated at 13.8 billion years, point to God’s eternal nature and limitless power (https://www.space.com/24054-how-big-is-the-universe.html).
Despite its scale, the universe exhibits astonishing order and balance, allowing stars, planets and ultimately life to exist. Such precise tuning reveals the universe’s intelligent design and divine purpose (https://www.reasons.org/explore/publications/facts-for-faith/read/facts-for-faith/2001/08/01/the-universe-is-finely-tuned-for-life).
The Diversity and Wonder of Life on Earth
The diversity of life on Earth is truly astounding. Scientists estimate 8.7 million species exist, from microscopic organisms to enormous whales (https://www.currentresults.com/Environment-Facts/Plants-Animals/estimate-of-worlds-total-number-of-species.php).
Each species exhibits unique abilities and complex biological systems fine-tuned for survival. Such creativity and attention to detail reflect God’s infinite wisdom and delight in fashioning life. Humans have only begun to comprehend a fraction of Earth’s species, suggesting vast realms still to explore.
As we discover more, we glimpse further into the mind of our remarkable Creator.
The Uniqueness of Humanity
Of all life on Earth, humans stand apart. We exhibit self-awareness, complex language and emotions, advanced reasoning, moral agency and a spiritual nature. Such capacities set us above other physical creatures and hint at a higher calling and divine purpose instilled by God.
While flawed in many ways, humans alone reflect God’s image and creative nature (Genesis 1:27). Our arts, philosophies, cultures and achievements, though tainted by sin, also showcase our creator’s fingerprints.
God’s Interactions With Humanity Reveal His Greatness
Deliverance and Miracles Throughout Biblical History
God has shown His great power and care for His people all throughout biblical history through amazing miracles and deliverances. From the Exodus where He parted the Red Sea to free the Israelites from Egypt to Daniel surviving the lion’s den, God has intervened to protect His people.
According to the book of Exodus, over 3 million Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt through 10 awe-inspiring plagues sent from God and the parting of the Red Sea. In the New Testament, Jesus performed countless miracles like healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and even raising the dead.
God’s powerful acts reveal that He is all-powerful and actively involved in human affairs.
The Incarnation of Christ
One of the greatest revelations of God’s love and humility was when He took on human form as Jesus Christ. According to John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Though completely perfect and holy, God humbled Himself to be born as a human baby and live as one of us.
As Philippians 2:8 says, Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Not only did Jesus reveal God’s nature during His earthly ministry, His sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for human sin.
This act demonstrated God’s unconditional love and grace toward humanity.
God’s Ongoing Work in the World
From ancient history until now, God continues to move in our world. Around 2.38 billion people currently identify as Christians, according to Pew Research, showing the massive impact Jesus continues to have. Beyond numbers, God changes hearts and lives every day.
Testimonies from persecuted Christians tell of God’s comfort and strength amidst trials. Missionaries continually report stories of healing, redemption, and new life through Christ. Even on an individual level, countless followers of Jesus share how God guides their daily lives and answers prayer.
Truly our mighty Creator passionately pursues a personal relationship with each person on earth!
The Name of God Reflects His Greatness
Old Testament Names of God
The Old Testament reveals many names of God that reflect different aspects of His character and greatness. Some examples include:
- Yahweh – The proper name of God indicating His eternal, self-existent nature.
- El Shaddai – God Almighty, emphasizing His supreme power.
- Adonai – Master or Lord, showing God’s sovereignty.
- Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide, highlighting God’s faithfulness to supply all our needs.
These names teach us about God’s loving guidance, correction, and purpose for His people. They reveal an Almighty God but also a personal, relational God involved in the lives of His creation.
New Testament Names and Titles of Christ
The New Testament continues the Old Testament pattern of using names and titles for God that further reveal His greatness reflected in Jesus Christ, such as:
- Jesus – Meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” It expresses Christ’s role as the Savior of the world.
- Immanuel – Meaning “God with us,” fulfilled in Christ coming to dwell among humanity (Matthew 1:23).
- Alpha and Omega – The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, referencing Christ’s eternal nature and sovereignty (Revelation 22:13).
- Lamb of God – Descriptive of Christ’s role as the perfect sacrificial offering for sin (John 1:29).
These new names affirm the deity of Christ and His dominion over all creation as both fully God and fully human. They continue to uphold the greatness reflected in God’s names beginning in the Old Testament.
The Majesty and Power in God’s Name
According to GotQuestions.org, the names of God in Scripture “are so powerful because they are saturated with God’s identity, character, and attributes.” Thus, His names directly reflect His greatness and glory.
Throughout the Bible, God’s names are associated with His supreme power and commands that accomplish awesome deeds. For example:
- Creation happened by God simply speaking it into existence (Genesis 1:3).
- God parted the Red Sea with just His outstretched hand (Exodus 14:21).
- God sustained over 1 million Israelites in the wilderness with manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35).
These miraculous demonstrations reveal that God’s names are not merely titles, but that His very identity and commands carry unwavering authority and energy to fulfill His divine will. His names set Him apart as the one true God possessing unmatched greatness.
Our Response to Such a Great God
Awe, Wonder and Worship
When we contemplate the greatness and glory of God, the only appropriate response is one of awe, wonder and heartfelt worship (Psalm 95:6). As finite creatures, we can barely begin to comprehend the majesty of our infinite Creator.
Yet through His Word and Spirit, God graciously gives us glimpses of His surpassing greatness and peerless worth. This should fill us with adoration and move us to join the heavenly throng in declaring “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8).
True worship springs from recognizing and reveling in the supreme value and beauty of God.
Humility and Surrender
As we gain a greater awareness of God’s greatness, it naturally leads us to a posture of humility before Him. Just as darkness flees when light dawns, pride scatters in the light of God’s glory. We realize how small and finite we are next to the infinite vastness of God.
This humbling knowledge softens our hearts and loosens our grip on our lives. We become willing to surrender our wills to Him, submitting our desires, dreams and priorities to the rule and reign of Christ.
We recognize that our lives are not our own, but we belong – heart, soul, mind and strength – to the One who made us, saved us and deserves our full allegiance.
Proclaiming His Greatness to the World
Those who have tasted the greatness of God cannot help but proclaim it to others. As His character and works fill us with wonder, we are compelled to sing His praises and make His glory known (Psalm 96:3).
Although God needs nothing from us, He graciously allows us to join Him in the grand mission of bringing the nations to know and worship Him. According to the Joshua Project, over 41% of the global population has little to no access to the gospel.
Our passion is to make disciples of all nations so that the supremacy of Christ might be established among all peoples. We have the astounding privilege of being ambassadors through whom God implores the world, “Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Conclusion
In closing, the greatness of God and majesty of His name are simply breathtaking. From His divine attributes to His splendid creation to His redemptive plan, God has revealed Himself as the one true all-powerful, all-loving, awe-inspiring God that He is.
May we respond appropriately with worship, obedience and mission to make His great name known to all.
