Magnificence Of God

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" The Holy Bible: New International Version, electronic ed., Ps 8:3-4 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984).

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" The Holy Bible: New International Version, electronic ed., 1 John 3:1 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984).

As I read 1 John 3 verse one I have three thoughts about the magnificence of God. First, there are no words to adequately describe the love that God has for us. Second, there are now words to adequately describe any of God’s creation. And third, words are the way we communicate with each other and God. It is obvious by my words here that I believe in the God of the Holy Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the one true God, the creator of everything that has been created. Having said that I am struck as was the author of Palms 8 by how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of God’s creation. Yet through it all God the Father has lavished his love on me and calls me his child.

Consider if you will the little thing that happened when God said “let there be light.” There are whole libraries devoted to books on the physics of light. Men have devoted their lives to the study of light and have only scratched surface of light. Thomas Edison is credited with the invention of the incandescent light bulb which was
responsible in large part for the industrial revolution. With light bulb man could extend the work day and work inside in large factories. As wonderful as the light bulb was the turning of a light bulb does not come close the glory of God exhibited in the plainest of sunrises. Then consider the rainbow and the sunset and then moon shadows.

Then God created man. He could have just made a stick figure; He could have done anything he wanted. There is more complexity a single cell of my body than scientists have been able to discover since God picked up a handful of dirt and formed Adam. Untold thousands of men and women have spent millions of hours studying the human body and God has revealed a few things. We are so proud of our feeble attempts to explain even the simplest of systems of our bodies. I am sure that God must laugh at our efforts and He loves us and allows us to continue to explore and discover. Maybe He is proud of us when we figure out some small part of His creation. He says in the Bible that it causes Him pain when we deny Him and deny His Son.

Awesome, magnificent, grand, great, glorious, superb, superlative, super, beautiful, beauty, stupendous, pretty, wonderful, amazing, marvelous, astounding, astonishing, indescribable, unimaginable, extraordinary, prodigious, wondrous, remarkable, dazzling, miraculous, marvel, grandeur, gorgeous, and I am sure you could come with some more words. Even with all these words there is no way to describe God or His Glory. Can you even imagine how you would describe a newborn baby to a blind person? I cannot begin to describe our great granddaughter to you and even a picture would not be able to capture her beauty.

I remember walking in the Colorado Rockies on a glorious fall some years ago, I was surrounded by the awesome peaks of the mountains and splendor of the golden leaves of the aspen trees, I looked down into a pool of crystal clear rain water and saw one perfectly formed aspen leaf. Now that I have described this vision can you see it? You might have some idea if you have ever seen a similar view, otherwise probably not. There is a feeling associated with this view, a feeling of inadequacy. I wonder at my arrogance when I think that I can accomplish anything without God. I wonder if it is God’s plan for my experience in the wilderness to bring me closer to dependence on Him. I know that I feel closer to God at those times than any other.

As the days go by I find myself being hungry for my time reading God’s word. I’m curiously drawn to God, is it the Holy Spirit? Yes I think so. There is a part of me that wants to reach out to people and try to make them obey God. I am learning that it is not about the other guy, it is about me. God loves me and calls me His son. He wants me to repent my worldly love, my desire for things, and my view of other people. “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. “ The Holy Bible: New International Version, electronic ed., Pr 16:7 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984). I want to walk with God in the way that is pleasing to Him. I want to bask in the love that my heavenly Father lavishes on me as His child. And most awesome thing is that the Father of us all wants this for you, and you, and you, for all people even the ones who deny him. God wants all people to choose Him, He wants to call everyone His child. Look it up for yourself, it is not hidden.

A Prayer Guide for the Nation

2 Chronicles 7:14: 'If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

It is critical that Christians pray for the coming elections. There is amazing power in united prayer. Pray with others whenever possible. Try to keep in mind that Christ died for everyone involved in this election.

The power of prayer overcomes any obstacle or ungodly influence and, indeed, does great things! Please share this with all of the believing brothers and sisters that you know.

Psalm 32:6-7 - Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this
election and that the Lord will deliver Godly and faithful leaders.

Psalm 16:7-8 - Pray that the Lord will give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president of our nation.

Proverbs 16:13 - Pray that the people of our nation will seek God’s truth and not be led astray.

Psalm 18:32-36 - Pray that the Lord will arm the candidate of His choice with strength; that He will guide him in this campaign and that He will sustain him andgive him victory.

Hebrews 11:32-34 pray that God's candidate will, through faith, persevere and maintain courage throughout this election.

Psalm 125 - Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.

Psalm 86:14-17 - Pray that the Lord will defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.

2 Cor. 12:9 - Pray that the Lord will empower and enable His candidate in any area of weakness.

II Kings 13:16 - Pray that the Lord will put His hands on the candidate of His choice for president (and his team) and guide them in this election.

Proverbs 1:5-6 - Pray that God's candidate will listen with discernment, add to his
knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign.

John 16:33 - Pray that the candidate of God's choice will be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.

Acts 17:30 – Repent and pray for the repentance of the people of our nation.

Luke 12:54-57 - Pray that God's man and the people of our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

Phil. 4:13 - Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.

Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 - Pray that the Lord will do something that will utterly amaze us and give His servant victory.

During the days of Nov. 7 - 11, be encouraged to set aside a time of fasting during these days to commit this election to the Lord in whom we put our trust. Acts 14:23