READING: Isaiah 46-49, Psalm 135
“Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord.”
Psalm 135:1
I suspect all of us have talked about “great” people, even if we recognize the fallibility and sinfulness of people. So, what makes a person “great” in your mind? Power? Influence? Dollars? Possessions? Position? Godliness? Regardless of what your chosen characteristics are, however, only God is great.
The psalmist reminds us in today’s reading of so many reasons for seeing God as great. He is above all other perceived gods. Whatever He wants to do, He does; He accomplishes His plan “in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps” (Psa. 135:6). He controls not only history itself, but also all of nature. He makes the clouds appear, the lightning flash, and the winds roar. He struck down the enemies of His people and gave the Hebrews their land. He is good, and He is worthy of our praise: “Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages” (Psa. 135:13). He is, without exception, great. Indeed, He defines “great.”
If God is great, that fact ought to change the way we live. We ought to want to please Him. We ought to find it easier to give dollars to His work. We should live in respect of Him, honoring Him for His righteousness and fearing Him for His judgment. We ought to want our neighbors and the nations to know Him personally. We ought to rejoice over Him, singing His praises from the depth of our being. We ought to want to hear His voice and speak to Him through Bible study and prayer. All of this ought to be because He’s great.
So, does His greatness change the way you live?
ACTION STEPS:
- Answer the question above. If God’s greatness is not changing your life, something is amiss.
- Determine at least one area where His greatness could affect you more fully.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You. You are great.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 50-53