Our Great God

Is our God able today? Do we have any rivers that are "uncrossable"? Do we have any mountains that are unclimable? Do we have any walls that are unbreachable? Do we have any walls that are unbuildable? Do we have any fiery furnaces whose flames are unquenchable ? Do we face any lions whose mouths are unstoppable? Do we have problems that seem insoluble? Do we have any foes who are unconquerable? Do we have any friends who seem unreachable? Do we have any hurts that seem unhealable? Surely the great God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob can come to our aid today, if only we believe Him.

Just how great is our God today? Was John exaggerating when he said, "..greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."? (I John 4:4) Was Paul deluded when he said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phill. 4:13) Were they, and other Biblical writers, merely engaging in meaningless superlatives when they spoke of the great God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Yes, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is still on His throne today. He simply seeks to sit on the throne of our hearts as well. We only need a great and Godly vision of the victories he can give us in our life, church, family and nation. (II Chronicles 7:14)

Our Great God is A LIVING GOD. In John’s vision the primary emphasis is upon a LIVING GOD. A living God as shown to us by a living Savior. He said to John, "I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,.." The old hymn of the faith speaks for all of those who know Him in His resurrection and who walk with Him day by day, "I serve a living Savior, He’s in the world today, I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near. . . . You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."

Yes, it is tremendous that John gives us a view of a living God. The bodies of those who founded, organized and advanced all the great religions and philosophies of the world remain in their graves. We know where we can find the dead bodies of Confucias, Buddha, Mohammed and even Lenin. We also know where we can find the living body of our Savior, but it is certainly not to be found in a grave in Jerusalem! It is said that one great world conqueror, upon observing the tremendous power and influence for good that Jesus Christ had exerted upon history, wondered aloud how he could achieve the same. One his close friends said to him, "It’s simple. Just get yourself crucified and then rise from the grave on the third day!"

John’s vision reminds again of the practical aspect of serving A GREAT LIVING GOD. It would not be reasonable to serve a dead God or idol. Elijah drove this point home to the prophets of Baal who had cried all day long to a deaf and dead idol God. It would be illogical, unreasonable and insane to serve a deceiver, lunatic or dead imposter.

Paul said it is reasonable to present our bodies a living sacrifice - to serve a living Saviour. But what is a living sacrifice? Paul said it is to be ready to live or die for Him, no matter what the cost. It is said an old Roman coin had the image of an Ox, standing between a plough and an altar. The inscription read, "Ready for either." Obviously, service or sacrifice. So it should be with those who walk with a living Saviour.