“A Big God For Hard Times” (Part Three)

We are taking time this week to be reminded of the greatness of our God—a helpful reminder in the difficult times being faced by our people, and by ourselves. Monday we began by seeing the greatness of God’s righteousness—and the great privilege we can have of right standing and relationship with Him. Wednesday, we considered the greatness of God’s power, displayed in the great things He has done. Today, we add the final piece, seeing that God is…

The Unique One

“O God, who is like You?” This question is asked repeatedly in the Old Testament, but the one statement that, for me, best captures the uniqueness of our God—especially in contrast to the gods of the cultures surrounding ancient Israel—is found in Micah 7:18:

“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.”

Here, the contrast is between the God of mercy and compassion, and the gods of the age that are without heart and soul. The New Testament considers the uniqueness of our God, I think, in 1 Thessalonians 1:9:

“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,”

Here, the contrast is between the true and living God as opposed to false, not-alive idols. In fact, that is why we turn to Him—He alone is God. As the chorus says, there is none like Him.

When facing tremendously hard times, the Old Testament patriarch Job was compelled to focus on the person of His God, and rest in Him. To consider the greatness of His God, and trust in Him. To embrace the wisdom of Hid God, and believe in Him. To that end, Job said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

In hard times, it is helpful and encouraging to remember that the great God of Psalm 71:19 is constant—He is who He is, no matter where I am. And He is greater than anything I will face today.