God is Great!

“…may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The LORD is great!’” Psalm 40:16.

Have you ever noticed how when something good happens to us we are quick to post or to say, ‘God is good?’ But not once have I said to someone during my most heartbreaking events, ‘God is great!’ It’s not that I don’t think it and pray that, it is just an odd thing to say to others with tears pouring down my cheeks. Now I don’t say that out of judgment, but rather an observation. It is so easy to see His loving character when something is positive in our lives. But I realized for the first time in Psalm 40 this powerful sentiment…stating God’s greatness while we wait for Him to save us…while we beg Him to remove our painful thorns. What makes this Psalm even more powerful is that David was at one of his lowest times in his life. He was begging the God to save him. He was pleading with God to not delay in dealing with his enemies. He had been on the run from King Saul who continuously sought to kill him. But the first part of this beautiful Psalm is David telling God why He is so great and thanking Him for so many past wonders. God did hear David’s cry and raised him up into one of the greatest kings ever. But the most difficult part of his reward was the decades that David had to live out before he received it. He had a heart for God and although he wasn’t perfect, he was passionate trusting God in frustrating and fearful circumstances. ‘David didn’t receive his blessings because he was special; he was honored among men because he honored the Lord above all. And since he trusted in God’s faithfulness, he endured hardship with patience. We, too, can expect to be blessed when we wait on the Lord.’ The Rewards of Patience devotional, In Touch, Charles Stanley.

So, hopefully the next time I am caught up in my frustrations or my painful circumstances I will be reminded of this beautiful idea of worship of proclaiming His greatness before the deliverance. Just maybe as we are handed a tough pill to swallow, we will remember that God is the living waters to help the pill go down more smoothly. Waiting is one of the toughest parts of our faith because it feels like nothing in happening. But when we live in Christ, we live on a higher level than our feelings…we live on our faith. Waiting is act of worship…calling God great in the face of the fire is a weapon in the battle. Our faith calls out to us to hold on…hold tight…remember God's greatness and track record for saving us. God is working amazing things in His own time and details to save us and to bless us.