Keep in Mind That God is the Almighty  

There was no time lapse between this particular flash of lightning and the booming clap of thunder, signifying that we were in the center of a recent storm. The sudden surge of electricity blew out two light bulbs in my home office. I soon discovered that our landline phone was out of order, while our internet service would end up coming and going over the next few days until a technician arrived. When this incident first occurred, I was afraid the lightning had struck our house. Thankfully, I was wrong. However, two trees in our front yard bear the scars from where the bolt of electricity ripped away a line of bark down their trunks.

This was just another reminder of how powerful nature can be. It has a way of humbling us when it shows how it can take away in a moment so many of our modern conveniences, the technology we depend on, and other material possessions. The same creation that results in our serenely enjoying a colorful sunset or marveling at a beautiful butterfly can also terrify us with its hurricanes, tornados, and storms.

If nature is so powerful, the One who created it must be even more so. There is a reason He is referred to as the Almighty. In last week’s article we were reminded that God is a loving Father. However, that doesn’t take away from the truth that He is still a fearsome God. He loves us, but He isn’t a tame kitty cat for us to play with. He isn’t the kindly grandfather we can wrap around our little fingers or otherwise manipulate in order to get our way. He isn’t a doormat for us to walk over when His ways and truths don’t line up with our views or lifestyles. This is the awesome God who manifested Himself with thunderings and lightnings as He met with Moses on Mount Sinai to give him the Ten Commandments. And for those who erroneously try to suggest God is different in the New Testament – this is the God who struck dead Ananias and Sapphira for their lying deception (see Acts 5:1-11).

While the Bible exhorts us to love God with all our hearts, it also tells us to “fear” Him. It even suggests that such fear is the starting point of real knowledge and wisdom. It isn’t advocating that we be terrified of God. However, it is saying that we should respect God for who He is and for His great power. While we can draw close to Him as our Father, we need to keep in mind that He is the Almighty Creator of the universe. When He declares truth, it carries more weight than my opinion or society’s viewpoint. We dare not try to soften His words or explain away His clear teaching in order to get it to fit in with how we think things ought to be. We don’t try to conform this powerful God to our finite ideas. No, when we encounter His truth, we had better humble ourselves before Him, seek His forgiveness when needed, and change our views and behaviors in order to get them in harmony with His word and His will.

In our day the love of God is often emphasized, as it should be. However, too many are guilty of ignoring this equally important fearsome aspect of God. You don’t want to defy the Almighty any more than you would want to get struck by a bolt of lightning. He loves us, but He is greater than we are. His word is the truth. His ways are best. His plans and purposes will be accomplished. I suggest you not rebel against Him, contradict Him, or try to stand in His way.