A Big God
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6: 1 (NIV)
My first baby-sitting job (age 12) was with a family of four children and three Great Danes. To this day, I can’t tell which was more work—the kids or the dogs. They had a huge back yard in which to play. However, keeping it clean and keeping them all clean was major work! I was their sitter for about three years and came to love the BIG and the small. Tracy Crump (All God’s Creatures) has written a great message about our big God.
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My sister and her husband love Great Danes, one of the largest dog breeds in the world. They’ve raised several litters and can tell you all about the different color variations—blue and brindle, merle and harlequin—as well as the Danes’ wonderful attributes. When my sister brought a puppy to visit one time, she playfully pulled his floppy bloodhound-loose skin as he sat on the floor and said, “Room to grow!” And grow they do.
I’ll be honest—Great Danes intimidate me. They may be gentle giants but when a dog can come up and look me straight in the eye while I sit on the couch, it gives me a jolt. They are just so…big.
Sometimes I think of God that way. When I visualize Isaiah’s report of the Lord’s robe filling the temple or imagine His voice thundering from heaven as described in the Psalms, I’m more than a little frightened. He’s just so…big.
Then I remember that God loves me. He sent Jesus to die for me and wants me to live forever with Him in heaven. Yes, I want to fear the One who is “high and exalted” by treating Him with reverence and awe as the Creator of the universe, but I need not feel scared. I can trust God. He invites me to put my life in His hands and surrounds me with His faithfulness. As a redeemed child of the King, I have no reason to be afraid.
The Great Danes in my life have proven themselves to be gentle, consistent with their reputations. I don’t mind so much now that they walk up and stare me in the eye. My only problem is when they try to sit in my lap.
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared, he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds you
Psalm 89:7-8 (NIV)