What God Can Do
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
(The Psalms 115: 1 NASB)
But to Your name give glory
Because of
Your lovingkindness,
because of
Your truth.”
Twenty-two years ago, my husband decided to serve his country. To be honest, we were established within our careers, we had received our daughter, we had received sixteen years of marriage, and adding something so momentous as a military commitment made me almost fall from the kitchen chair where I sat when he spoke the words—
“I think I am going to enlist in the Navy.”
Even though he was halfway through his thirties and well-beyond the ‘normal’ boot camp age, just a few months later, we packed his things so he could begin his service to his country. My husband joined the Navy Seabees, an elite group of men & women whose mantra followed the slogan: SEABEES CAN DO.
Thus began our life as a military family, one that I proudly claim as my own. I am so thankful to have served alongside him—as he deployed during the years to SERVE HIS COUNTRY.
Deployment 1—He was gone from home for a full year—while we engaged in the unthinkable. Our home was sold; my siblings helped me pack; a builder was hired to build our new home; & my husband returned just in time to help finish our new home.
Deployment 2—He was gone from home for another year—Our three-year-old home was void of landscaping, so I spent my time separated from my husband digging up turf, planting flowers, and beautifying our home.
Deployment 3—He was gone from home for a few months—before a medical condition caused him to return home.
Deployment 4—He was sent to a new location, one that would soon become a memory when my husband sustained an injury and was flown to several military hospitals. After more than a year away—he came home, & truly, I was not sure if our marriage would survive.
Here we are—twenty-two years removed—and this week, my husband made a unique purchase. Just yesterday, he said:
“I bought something today for nineteen dollars and twenty-one cents, something I have never before purchased.”
It was a major purchase—He bought a blue cap with the words: Retired Navy emblazoned on the front, one that he will wear with pride in three brief months when he retires.
Why do we choose to give glory—to the LORD, to the CREATOR, to JEHOVAH GOD?
- We give our hearts to GOD’S ONLY SON JESUS because of HIS AMAZING LOVE!
- We choose to follow JESUS because HE DIED FOR US ON CALVARY’S CROSS!
- We serve the LORD JESUS CHRIST because HIS WORD IS TRUTH!
YES—YES—YES—YES & FOREVERMORE YES!
“Why should the nations say,
(The Psalms 115: 2-3 NASB)
“Where, now, is their God?”
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.”
Consider the magnitude of these two verses.
The first asks a question all must answer.
- Who is God? & What will I do with His Only Son Jesus?
The second verse gives a statement of truth.
- GOD DOES JUST AS HE WANTS—WHAT ONLY GOD CAN DO!
“Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
- They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
- They have eyes, but they cannot see;
- They have ears, but they cannot hear;
- They have noses, but they cannot smell;
- They have hands, but they cannot feel;
- They have feet, but they cannot walk;
- They cannot make a sound with their throat.” (The Psalms 115: 4-7 NASB)
We live in a world where so many bow to a variety of idols, to mini-gods who can neither speak goodness, reveal sight, hear their prayers, lead them away from temptation, cover them with peace, or direct their steps. False gods proclaim they can do all that, but they fail every time.
ONLY JEHOVAH GOD—CAN DO—WHAT HE SAYS HE CAN DO!
Each time my husband returned from a deployment, he would recount the dangers he faced, details that I did not need to know while he was so far away from home. Over and over, my husband spoke of other sailors: men & women who served with him. My husband spoke of the way he was able to comfort them when danger abounded, when their faith in their gods failed.
ALWAYS, BECAUSE OF MY HUSBAND’S FAITH—he was able to share with fellow sailors—THE TRUTH OF JEHOVAH GOD, THE ONLY GOD!
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
(The Book of Isaiah 44: 6-8 NASB)
and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
‘I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me.
Who is like Me?
Let him proclaim and declare it;
Yes, let him recount it to Me in order,
From the time that I established the ancient nation.
And let them declare to them the things that are coming
And the events that are going to take place,
Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses.
Is there any God besides Me,
Or is there any other Rock?
I know of none.’ ”