Word To How Great Is Our God: Exploring The Greatness Of Our Lord
The opening lyrics of the popular Christian hymn, “How Great is Our God”, pose a profound question for believers – just how great is our God? This age-old query has captivated theologians and faithful followers alike as they seek to understand and articulate the supreme greatness of the Almighty.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: God’s greatness is on full display throughout Scripture, sovereignly ruling over all creation with unmatched power, wisdom, love and justice. He alone is worthy of our highest worship and praise.
In this comprehensive article, we will unpack the vast dimensions of God’s greatness by exploring relevant biblical support and timeless spiritual insights around key themes.
The Sovereignty of God
God Rules Over All Creation
As the supreme being and divine creator, God reigns over everything in existence with complete authority and control. Nothing occurs without God sanctioning it or allowing it to happen. From the vast expanse of the universe to microscopic cells, all aspects of creation ultimately answer to their Maker.
As Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.”
Evidence of God’s Sovereignty in Scripture
Throughout the Bible, clear examples demonstrate God exerting his sovereign rule. He floods the earth while saving Noah’s family, allows Joseph to suffer before raising him to power in Egypt, hardens Pharaoh’s heart, provides daily manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, stops the sun’s course for Joshua, overrides human desires to arrange dynasties and kings, and brings empires to their knees to accomplish his purposes.
Jesus also displays God’s authority and omnipotence through miracles displaying mastery over nature, sickness, demons, and even death itself. Every prayer answered and every astonishing coincidence arranging events “just so” gives glimpses into the hand of the One orchestrating all things according to his perfect will.
Practical Implications of God’s Sovereignty
Recognizing God’s complete authority should give followers great comfort and confidence. Believers can take heart that the all-powerful ruler of everything has their lives in his hands through all circumstances. They can boldly obey his commands, knowing he ordains their steps.
They can worry less, trusting that nothing surprises the King over all.
Most importantly, acknowledging God’s rule prompts humble submission. As finite creatures, humans walk in the shadow of the infinite Creator who gives them breath and sustains their existence. Bowing before his wisdom and desires provides meaning and purpose to life.
The Power and Might of God
God’s Incomparable Strength
As the Creator of the universe, God possesses absolute power and infinite strength. The Bible declares that “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength” (Psalm 147:5). There is no force in heaven or on earth that rivals God’s might.
He can accomplish anything He desires simply by speaking a word, including bringing the universe into existence out of nothing. The incredible power displayed in events like parting the Red Sea, stopping the sun in the sky, and resurrecting Jesus from the dead give us just a glimpse of God’s incomparable strength.
God’s Mighty Deeds Throughout History
Throughout history, God has intervened to display His awesome power and deliver His people. When the Israelites were trapped at the edge of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army bearing down on them, God parted the waters so they could walk through on dry land (Exodus 14).
God rained manna from heaven to feed His wandering people in the wilderness for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). When Joshua led the Israelites against Jericho’s seemingly impenetrable walls, God caused them to utterly collapse after the army marched around them as instructed (Joshua 6).
And these signs of power continue today, as God heals the sick, provides for those in need, and works miracles around the globe in response to prayer.
Our Response to God’s Almighty Power
How should we respond when reflecting on God’s limitless might and awe-inspiring deeds? We ought to have an attitude of reverence, praise, and trust. Recognizing that God is all-powerful should foster a holy fear of disobeying or dishonoring Him.
It should prompt heartfelt worship as we exalt His glorious name. And it should produce complete faith that our omnipotent God can handle any problem or peril we may face. As Charles Spurgeon aptly stated, “With reverence let us dwell always upon the power of God.
Let us not dare to trifle with Omnipotence.”
The Wisdom and Knowledge of God
The Depth of God’s Understanding
As the divine Creator of all things, God possesses endless wisdom and knowledge. His understanding surpasses all human comprehension, higher than the heavens themselves (Job 11:7-9). He grasps the mysteries of the universe and the intricate complexities of each living creature and planet He formed.
God’s wisdom and knowledge guide His actions and plans. He works and moves in ways far beyond human reasoning, directed by His divine understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). His judgments consider every detail, discerning the innermost motives and secrets of every heart (1 Chronicles 28:9).
Scriptural Examples of God’s Wisdom
Throughout Scripture, we find demonstrations of the Almighty’s infinite insight and discernment:
In Christ Jesus, the fullness of God’s wisdom is revealed and made available to humankind (Colossians 2:2-3). Through His death and resurrection, the magnificent mystery of the gospel unfolded as God reconciled sinners to Himself.
Submitting Our Minds to Divine Wisdom
Since the Lord’s understanding surpasses ours, we can only begin to grasp His knowledge revealed through Scripture and creation. Our limited human logic falls desperately short of His infinite discernment (Isaiah 55:8).
We must humbly surrender our minds to His supreme ways, trusting in faith when we cannot comprehend.
| Human Wisdom | God’s Wisdom |
| Limited perspective | Sees the full picture |
| Prone to misunderstandings | Perfect comprehension |
| Focused on temporary | Considers eternal impact |
As we yield our thoughts and ways of thinking to the Lord, He renews our minds to align more closely with His perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). We gain a heavenly viewpoint that radically transforms how we process life and make decisions.
God longs to impart greater wisdom to all who seek Him in humble faith (James 1:5-6).
The Love and Grace of God
The Vastness of God’s Love
God’s love for humanity is truly unfathomable. There are no limits or conditions to His great affection for us. As 1 John 4:8 declares, “God is love.” His very nature and character is defined by perfect, unconditional love.
From the dawn of creation, across thousands of years of Biblical history, to this present day, God has relentlessly pursued us with His love and grace.
There are so many stories throughout Scripture that illustrate the depths of divine love. When God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, when Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb, when the prodigal son was welcomed home, when Peter was restored after denying Christ – these are but glimpses of an eternally loving God.
His love stretches “as high as the heavens are above the earth” (Psalm 103:11). It is wider and longer and deeper than any love we could imagine (Ephesians 3:18). Truly, the vastness of God’s love surpasses human understanding.
Manifestations of Grace from Genesis to Revelation
Not only is God’s love exceedingly vast, but His grace abounds all the more. From the Garden of Eden to the coming New Jerusalem, God has showered humanity with undeserved favor and blessing. Though we are sinful people, He provided a way of reconciliation through Christ’s sacrifice.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Here are some highlights of God’s gracious work across Biblical history:
- Clothing Adam and Eve after the Fall (Genesis 3:21)
- Saving Noah and his family from the flood (Genesis 6-9)
- The Exodus from Egypt and entry into the Promised Land (Exodus 12-Joshua)
- Healing of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5)
- Salvation offered freely to all through Christ (John 3:16)
- Stephen’s prayer of forgiveness for his killers (Acts 7:60)
- Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle (Acts 9)
From beginning to end, the Bible reveals a gracious God who wants to lavish us with blessings. As Lamentations 3:22-23 says, God’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!
Basking in God’s Boundless Affection
God’s love and grace are truly without limits. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more or less. He cherishes each of us with boundless affection. What an incredible blessing it is to bask in His love every day!
Living in the security of God’s love empowers us to extend grace to others. We can forgive those who hurt us, because we ourselves have been forgiven much. We can love the unlovable, because that’s how God has loved us.
We can have compassion for our enemies, because God had mercy on us when we were still His enemies. God’s endless love always overflows into the lives of those around us.
Dear friend, rest today in the extravagant love of your Creator. There is no need to strive or perform for validation – you are already fully loved just as you are. As Ephesians 3:19 says, may you have the power to “know this love that surpasses knowledge” more every day. God delights in you!
He smiles over you with joy (Zephaniah 3:17). You are the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). Abide in the safety of His perfect love.
The Justice and Righteousness of God
God’s Commitment to Moral Perfection
Throughout Scripture, we see that God is unwaveringly committed to moral perfection and purity. As the ultimate standard of righteousness, He cannot tolerate or excuse sin in any form (Habakkuk 1:13). God’s holiness and justice demand that He punish evil and restore justice where it has been denied.
The Bible declares that the Lord is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18). He loves justice and establishes equity (Psalm 99:4). All His ways are just and true (Deuteronomy 32:4). These verses assure us that God always acts according to what is right, fair and lawful.
God’s Judgment and Restoration Throughout Scripture
Since the beginning, God has intervened to judge sin and restore justice on the earth. He brought the flood in Noah’s day to judge the world’s wickedness (Genesis 6-9). He poured out plagues on Egypt to secure freedom for the oppressed Israelites (Exodus 7-12).
God also instituted civil laws and punishments for lawbreakers among His people Israel (Exodus 21-23). Throughout the Prophets, we see God promising to restore justice where it was lacking.
Ultimately, God’s commitment to perfect justice required Him to judge sin at the cross. Only the substitutionary death of Christ could satisfy God’s wrath against sin (Romans 3:25-26). Now, all who turn to Jesus in repentance and faith can be justified and escape condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Developing an Appreciation for Divine Justice
Though God’s unwavering commitment to justice may seem harsh at times, we must remember that He is infinitely holy, righteous and good. As our Creator, He has the supreme right to establish what is just and enforce the standards of His moral law.
As we grow in relationship with God, we will develop an appreciation for His divine sense of justice. We will begin to see sin as He does – as a repulsive rebellion that demands punishment. God’s judgment against evil reflects His love for what is right and good.
His passion for justice ultimately stems from His love and care for His creation.
Conclusion
In exploring the broad biblical themes of God’s sovereignty, power, wisdom, love and justice, we have only scratched the surface of His truly astounding greatness. As Charles Spurgeon once preached, “The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy… cannot find out the Almighty to perfection.”
Yet through prayerful study of Scripture, we can continually deepen our wonder and worship of this awesome God. May our feeble attempts to articulate His greatness instead lead us to profound silence and humility before Him.
