The Awesome God

“Come and see the works of God, He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.” (Psalm 66:5)

In today’s jargon anything you like is “awesome.” Webster’s definition of ‘awe’ is, “Profound and reverent fear inspired by Deity.” Therefore, to say a movie, an outfit, a food, a hero, or a person, etc. is ‘awesome’ is a misnomer. Nothing or no one is awesome. God and His holiness, instead of being awesome, have become commonplace, even to the point of using His name as a by-word or in cursing. In Ex.20:7, the third Commandment tells us, “You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain, (that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely; for the Lord will hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.) It always hurts my heart to hear an unbeliever curse using God’s name to damn people and things; or just as an empty curse word. But it especially grieves me to hear a believer use God’s name so frivolously as in, “Lordy, Lordy,” or “Oh, my Lord,” or “Oh, my God.” I am always tempted to ask them if they are calling on the Lord for help. For a believer to so quickly forget the awesomeness of God’s work in his life, to use His name as a by-word or without meaning, hurts my heart, how much more must it hurt the heart of God?

Even in Old Testament times, Yahweh (their name for the One and Only God), they felt was so holy they would not say His name but would just say, “the Name.” In some translations you will see “Name” with the ‘N’ capitalized. They are referring to Yahweh – the great “I Am.” How can we desecrate His wonderful name by using it as a slang word? God Forbid!! God does forbid (Duet.5:11)!!

Can you believe that God is so awesome in His forgiveness when we fail so much; in His blessings when we are so undeserving; in His everlasting mercy when we are so self-willed; in His protection when we are so helpless; in his guidance when we are so ignorant; in His encouragement when we are so fearful; in His comfort when we are so grieved; in his provision when we are so needy - and all in His awesome, incomprehensible love? I believe and accept with much gratitude and love returned. Praise be to the awesome Father, Son and Holy Ghost!