How great is your God?

We see God's glory in the wonders of creation.

When you visit the coast you see the most glorious sunsets. As the sun dips into the ocean, action on the beach seems to stop. Most people fall silent. Conversations become hushed. Children stop running. Balls are not thrown. All eyes turn to the sun until it dips below the horizon. Silence reigns. The silent splendour of God's sunset over the ocean works its magic in our hearts. The very colour of the sea seems to change minute by minute. After the sun slides behind the sea and everyone returns to his or her activity, you go on your way, with this verse on your lips: "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Ps 8: 1 and 9)

God's glory shines above the heavens and below the heavens. Yesterday we were speechless when visiting the world heritage site, Baviaanskloof. The fine arrangement and beauty of mountain, river and unique ecology shown in the abundance of vegetation only found here, show the skill of the heavenly Artist. The immense grandeur of one of the gardens designed by the eternal Gardener himself, demonstrates the incomprehensible greatness of God. It enthuses gratitude. It inspires thanksgiving.

God's name is not simply crowned in our hearts; it is majestic in all the earth. Many small and seemingly unimportant things reveal the greatness of God. Each little flower that opens and each little bird that sings proclaims the glorious majesty of God. Every special relationship - a mother and her baby, a couple in love, a hand reaching out to a friend, reminds of the glory of the Lord.

David starts and ends Psalm 8 the same way, with words of praise to God:
(Ps 8:1 and 9) O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God's name stands for God's person, God's being, and God's attributes; they are all majestic. "Majestic." In the Hebrew language, this word tells us that God is the incomparable, omnipotent God.

We believe in, and adore, one living and true God, who is Spirit, personal, infinite, and eternal, present in every place, the almighty Author and sovereign Lord of all; most blessed, most holy, and most free; perfect in wisdom, justice, truth and love; to us most merciful and gracious; unto whom only we must cleave, whom only we must worship and obey. To Him be glory for ever. (Art 1 of the 24 Articles of Faith).

We hear this message in all the pages of Scripture all the time:
(Ex 15:11) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

(1 Sam 2:2) "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God."

(Jer 10:6) No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.

God is majestic. He is majestic in power, in splendour, in glory, in works, and in holiness. He is incomparable. There is no other god like the Lord God almighty.

For King David, the majesty of God is especially evident in his vast and wondrous creation. David looks at the sun, moon, and stars, David looks at the birds, fish, and animals and David looks at man. He sees all that God has made and he says,
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!