WONDERS OF GOD’S GREATNESS

Praise Him according to HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS!” – Psalm 150:2

Humanity can never fully extol the WONDERS of GOD’S GREATNESS: “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS!” (Psa.150: 1-2). The Mystery of God’s Humility is juxtaposed with the Wonders of His Excellent Greatness.

Psalm 150 introduces and summarises what real worship is: expressing joyful delight in God’s Presence. Being the last psalm in the entire book, it ends on the right note – a Call to Praise! If the psalms are about worship, then Psalm 150 infers that we praise God till the end. The word “praise” occurs thirteen times in six verses. The psalm presents five reasons to praise God, namely: Because of Who He is – the only One that’s worthy to be worshipped; because of where He is – in His sanctuary, in His mighty firmament (v.1); because of His powerful acts in history, doing what no man can do; because of His abundant, unequalled, or excellent Greatness (v.2); and because He made us His instruments of worship (vv.3-6).

When the Bible says “God is great” and we echo the same, what does it really mean? We sometimes use the word “great” in conversation to admire people’s accomplishments or abilities. We hold these “great” people in high regard because of a skill or quality they possess that outshines those of others we know. However, when the Bible refers to God as “great,” it is a designation of such broad scope and ultimate supremacy that it surpasses our human understanding of accomplishment or ability: “GREAT is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and HIS GREATNESS is unsearchable.” One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (Psa.145:3). May our generations be counted among those that’ll praise God and declare His greatness in our lives, homes, businesses, callings, and churches, in Jesus name! Amen!

Scripture’s description of God as great demonstrates that He is the Zenith of every admirable quality. Isaiah spoke of God’s great command of creation and all things therein: “Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing” (Isa.40:26). King David trumpeted the greatness of God’s wondrous deeds: “For YOU ARE GREAT, and do wondrous things; You alone are God” (Psa.86:10). The word “great” comes from a Hebrew word that means: large (in magnitude and extent); in number; in intensity; loud (in sound); older (in age); in importance; great things. God’s greatness is all-encompassing! However, the greatness of God is epitomised in His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb.1:1-3).

God is great in Love: “See what GREAT LOVE the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1Jh.3:1a NIV). His love is perfect, pure, enduring, faithful, gracious, lavish, lasting, forgiving, sacrificial, strong, hope-filled, refreshing, redeeming, and everlasting. His great love is never based on our abilities or striving to be good enough: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom.5:8). God’s love is found in Him; in His character and huge capacity to give. His love knows no boundaries and has no limits. There’s no place too deep that His love can’t reach. God is also great in Mercy: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Eph.2:4-5a).

God is great in Power and Authority, as displayed in the magnificent wonders of creation (Gen.1). The demonstration of His supreme power is throughout Scripture: performing miracles to save His people from destruction (Exo.14: 21-30); healing the afflicted; and offering us ultimate salvation from eternal damnation (Jh.3:16). The praises of Him who alone is great and worthy of our worship, will awaken and nurture the seeds of Greatness in us, that He alone may receive all of the Glory!