Growing in Grace

The Monthly Newsletter of Grace Bible Church

September 2009

Not long ago, the radio was playing in the office when I heard this tag in a song:

"God is great, beer is good and people are crazy!"

I thought to myself, "Those are three interesting ideas to link together".  I agreed with all of them, except the beer part, since I've never had any.

For a moment let's concentrate on the first idea:  God is great!

Both in His person and actions God is great.  As defined by Webster great means "remarkable in magnitude, degree or effectiveness".  David told Israel to sing to the Lord and declare His glory among the nations.  Why?  "For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised" (1 Chr 16:25, cf Isa 12:6).  Their history of constant deliverance should remind them of His greatness (16:20-22).

In his suffering, Job was able to say God "does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" (5:9).  Jeremiah in his lamentations found hope in the mercies of God which where "new every morning: Great is your faithfulness" (Lam 3:23).  Is there a better way to say it?  God's faithfulness is remarkable in magnitude and degree.

The New Testament again reminds us of the greatness of God.  Gabriel told Mary to call her baby "Jesus.  He will be great" (Luke 1:32).  Titus reiterates the same thought by telling us the coming King is "our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).

As you can see, the greatness of God is a constant theme in Scripture, but what does it matter?  When the Twin Towers fell to the ground how great was your God then?  When the boss hands you a pink slip in a bad economy how great is your God then?  When the doctors says, "it's malignant", how great is your God?  When your wayward child disappoints you again how great is your God?  When you watch the news and the world seems out of control how great is your God?  When you're still not pregnant after years of trying how great is your God?

Someone has said 'what we know in the light we must not forget in the dark'.  The truth is emphatic: God is great!  That's a light that will burn bright in the darkest night.  Don't forget it.  Let it anchor your soul no matter what the circumstances are.  Then we can all sing together, "How great, how great, is our God".  No amount of beer or crazy people can make that a bad song.

Pastor Keith