Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3 ESV
Illustration
In 1715 King Louis XIV of France died after a reign of 72 years. He had called himself "the Great," and was the monarch who made the famous statement, "I am the state!" His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular. As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a special candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, "Only God is great." Today in the Word, April 1989, p. 24.
The struggles of life can tempt us to forget the greatness of our God. At times we can be made to feel as if our burdens are bigger than God. This is where our personal relationship with God and our knowledge of God come in. God is greater than any power on earth and in heaven. The human mind cannot fathom the greatness of God. He is exceedingly above any thought we can imagine.
The phrase “Great God” is mentioned 214 times in 95 verses in the NIV. It is mentioned 294 times in 127 verses in the KJV. From Genesis to Revelation, the greatness of God is celebrated and praised. The Lord humbled kings and kingdoms throughout history. He alone knows the beginning from the end and determines the number of our days on earth. God has no rival and cannot be defeated. No one can resist the Almighty. When He speaks, the sun and the moon hide behind the mountains and the stars tremble at the mention of His name. Celestial beings celebrate the greatness of God, powers, and principalities are afraid of His wrath.
To know God is to acknowledge His greatness. When we worship Him, we affirm His greatness over every area of our lives. To serve the Lord is to acquiesce and reverence His greatness. The greatness of God gives us comfort in times of sorrow. It is because of God’s greatness we wake up every day with the strength to overcome the attacks of the devil. Believers find hope in the greatness of God. We know that all things will work out for our good because God is too great to be defeated and to make mistakes.
Because of the greatness of God, we do not have to live in fear even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. While many human beings have proclaimed their greatness because of their achievements, only God is great. That is the point Bishop Massilon made at the funeral of King Louis XIV of France. Many emperors, kings, and presidents have proclaimed their greatness only to have their lives snuffed out at the command of the Almighty.
In today’s text, David proclaimed the greatness of God and declares God’s greatness is unsearchable. It was because of the greatness of God that David arose from a shepherd boy to become a great king of Israel. When David confronted Goliath, he reminded the giant of the greatness and told him “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” 1 Samuel 17:45. David defeated Goliath because no one is greater or mightier that the God of heaven.
I want to encourage you to face your challenges and adversities with faith and confidence. God is greater than cancer and any other terminal illness. He is greater than financial crises. Don’t give up on God or lose hope when clouds roll into your life. God is too great to let you be defeated or destroyed. Whatever you need, God can deliver! There is no problem God cannot solve, no concern He cannot address, and no sorrow He cannot comfort. Those who trust in the greatness of God cannot and will not be disappointed.
Questions for Personal reflection
What does the greatness of God mean to you?
How is the greatness of God informing the way you live?
Prayer-Bless Lord, I thank you for being the Great God Almighty in whom I live, move, and have my being. Please remind me of your greatness when my faith is tested, and my strength is fading. May your greatness be evident in every area of life and ministry to the glory of your name.