BIG—STRONG—GREAT!
There are so many places where we see certain phrases, places such as:
- T-shirts
- Billboards
- Ball caps
- Bumper stickers
- Book markers
- Pencils & Pens
- Stickers
- Wall hangings
On & On, we see popular phraseology printed, stating words that are meant to uplift the one reading the words.
Take for instance, this popular Bible verse, that we find printed & posted everywhere.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 4: 13 NASB)
Also consider this well-known Bible verse that has been used & posted in so many places.
“Yet those who wait for the LORD
(The Book of Isaiah 40: 31 NASB)
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”
If we have grown up surrounded by “church” friends & have lived in the “Bible belt,” then we have seen, read, heard, and maybe memorized this popular verse. Now, please do not misunderstand this next statement but go with me to the very end to see the truth being revealed by the Holy Spirit of God.
- When we memorize certain biblical passages, do we sometimes find ourselves memorizing those that lift our spirits & lift us up when we are feeling defeated or walking in despair?
- When we hear, read, and see certain biblical passages, do we oftentimes find ourselves drawn to those Bible passages that we can apply directly to our life-situations, life-struggles, & life-challenges?
The Word of God is given to us by Father God to do exactly ALL THAT, but the Word of God was divinely written to proclaim the greatness of—ONE SINGLE PERSON—GOD!
The Word of God is not about us but is given to help us, guide us, prepare us, comfort us, . . . .
It is truth—We can find life-sustaining contentment BECAUSE of CHRIST JESUS who strengthens us. Our Savior Jesus is the object of our devotion, our contentment, and our eternity. The prophet Isaiah gave us an entire chapter detailing the reasons we are to take our eyes off our problems and fears and instead PLACE OUR EYES ON THE ONE WHO PROMISES TO DO EXACTLY WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO!
I encourage us to read Isaiah 40 in its entirety, yes all thirty-one verses.
&
I encourage us to read Isaiah 40 one verse at a time, meditating on one verse each day of the month, yes a verse for EVERY day of the week for thirty-one days.
GOD IS GOOD & GOD IS GREAT!
OUR GOD IS SO AMAZINGLY BIG—STRONG—GREAT!
“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.”
(The Book of Isaiah 40: 1 & 25-26 & 28-31 NASB)
. . .
“To whom then will you liken Me
That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.”
. . .
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God,
the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”
May we see, read, hear, and memorize as many Bible verses as we have days of life remaining. Yes, it will be a challenge, but we can do it—if we really put forth the effort. We memorize sporting statistics, song lyrics, and about anything we desire, so maybe it’s time we put our effort toward memorizing the Word of God—WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT!
May we carry God’s Word deep in our heart, in our mind, and our being.
We serve a BIG—STRONG—&—GREAT GOD!
TRUST GOD—in the hard times.
TRUST GOD—when we do not have the answers.
TRUST GOD—every day of every month of every year.
TRUST GOD—BECAUSE HE IS EXACTLY WHO WE NEED!
In closing, let us read one final well-known passage, one filled with verses that are quoted, memorized, and often emblazoned on all types of merchandise. However, as we read this passage, let us read with fresh eyes, focusing on WHO we are to really see & noticing WHAT the Son of God really did for you and me & fully believing the WISDOM of GOD, WHO TRULY IS SO BIG—SO AMAZING—& SO TRULY GREAT!
“What then shall we say to these things?
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 8: 31-37 NASB)
If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him over for us all,
how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?
God is the one who justifies;
who is the one who condemns?
Christ Jesus is He who died,
yes, rather who was raised,
who is at the right hand of God,
who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”