In the late eighties, Rich Mullins released a song that became a regular anthem in the church where I grew up. This song spoke about a God who reigns from heaven with wisdom, power, and love. Each verse described a God who spoke creation into existence, held lightning in his fist, and took sin seriously. This song was titled, Awesome God, and I can imagine that many of you are already singing it in your mind as you read this post.
As I reflect on that song and the countless times the lyrics crossed my lips throughout my life, I am struck by the lack of actual “awe” that often accompanied my singing. After all, to sing that God is awesome is to say that I have been captivated and overwhelmed by his power and might. It is to look at the grandeur of his mighty works and unending nature and respond in complete surrender before an all-mighty God.
Yet, when was the last time I found myself in complete awe like that?
When thinking of awe, I often harken back to my first visit to the Grand Canyon. There are no words to say as you approach such a massive and majestic landscape. You step to the edge and you tremble at the danger of one careless step. You gaze into the distance and feel small in comparison to the valley that passes into the horizon before you.
Of course, you may also see the handiwork of a divine creator on display in both the small details of each pebble to the river that is carving it’s way through the canyon. For those who walk in relationship with Christ, we indeed see the natural wonder but we can also see beyond the colored rocks and deep valley to acknowledge the divine work of a powerful God who holds all things together.
In that moment of awe I am often reminded of the words of scripture:
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
Creation calls us to stand in awe of our mighty God, yet how often do we find ourselves captivated by the nature of God himself?
Meditating on Yahweh
The other Sunday after church I found myself in tears as I drove home. I was not in pain, nor was I sad or angry. I actually found myself overwhelmed with the nature of God in relation to the reality of the gospel. This is not a regular occurrence so it was very unexpected yet also life-giving.
It occurred as I was listening to a teaching by John Piper called, God Is: The Life Altering Reality of the Sheer Diving Existence. In this message Pastor John examined the name of God in Exodus 3. This name, Yahweh, was not simply a name like Mike or George. This name was pregnant with purpose, as Piper argues, “It has meaning. It is not just a name — it is reality.”
Let that sink in – God himself is the absolute reality.
As Colossians states above, all things are dependant on God for existence yet he is dependant on nothing. From the molecular makeup and workings of your heart to the planetary systems in galaxies beyond our view, God is holding it all together without a hint of exhaustion. All things came from him and maintain their very existence because of him. That alone should cause us to drop to our knees in awe and wonder, yet there is so much more to consider.
In his teaching, Piper concludes with a list of 12 realities about God, who calls himself Yaweh, “I am who I am.”
- God has no beginning.
- God has no end.
- God is absolute reality.
- God is entirely independent.
- All else is entirely dependant on God.
- All else is as nothing compared to God.
- God is constant.
- God is the absolute standard.
- God does whatever he pleases.
- God is the most valuable reality.
- Jesus Christ is absolute being.
- Absolute being dwelt among us.
It’s this last one that caused such an unexpected reaction as I was driving home that Sunday.
The sheer magnitude of God himself is one thing to meditate on, but to think that the Absolute One who stands above all existence not only knows me personally but willingly gave up his life so that I may be made right with him is beyond full comprehension. That kind of love far surpasses the beauty of the Grand Canyon and is far more profound than any philosophy of man. That kind of love will transform the life of the most wretched of sinners and will provide his children an eternity of wonder as we plumb the depths of God’s glorious existence for all eternity.
I was challenged that day in my car to read the name of God with these realities in mind. When I read of God speaking to Abraham I am reading of a God who is outside of time and space. When I hear David sing to the Lord in the Psalms I am reading of a God who is fully independent and able to do all things without limitation. When I read of Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead, I am reading about the absolute one who dwelt among us in the flesh. When I read of Jesus’ death and resurrection I am reading about one who is more valuable than all existence itself, yet this did not stop his act of sacrifice.
If we grab hold of these realities and truly meditate on the nature of Yahweh, it will transform us. Yes, these same realities may mean wrestling with our preconceived notions of God. We may find ourselves struggling to understand something so profound and otherworldly, but that doesn’t mean we do not strive to understand because to grasp just a fragment of this truth is to experience true awe.
As Piper states at the end of his teaching, “It is an electrifying truth that God simply is. Explosive. Wild. Untamable. Changing absolutely everything.” Therefore, let us look long and hard at the nature of our God so that we may be changed forevermore.
Mike Crump
Pastor of Church Communications
In his role as Pastor of Church Communications, Mike works to promote and resource ongoing ministry/events connected with the body here at Heritage. He also creates & distributes gospel-centered content (both physical & digital) among our wider congregation.