Awesome

By FCA Resources November 29, 2006

Ready

"For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth."

-Psalm 47:2

Set

The word "awesome" is used to describe so much in sports today. "Did you see that awesome catch?" "Did you see his awesome dunk?" "That home run was awesome!" And let's not forget the words of the modern-day philosopher Tommy Boy, "That was awesome." I looked this word up in the Urban Dictionary. It defines awesome as being "totally cool." It is what is called a "sticking plaster" word, which is something used by Americans to cover over the huge gaps in our vocabulary. It is one of the three words that make up most American sentences. And in sports today, that is definitely the case. Everything great is awesome.

Many times, however, the word awesome is misused. Pastor James McDonald shares with his congregation that this special word should really be reserved for God alone. It needs to be set apart for the One who is like no other and whom can never be repeated. Let's take a look in God's Word to see what awesome really means. Isaiah 40:12 describes the awesomeness of God with these questions: "Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?" Also, the first sentence in the Bible speaks of God's awesomeness: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." What more do you need?

There are amazing catches, great plays and fantastic finishes to games, but all of them have been repeated in some way, shape or form. Only God has been unrepeated. There is no one like our God (1 Samuel 2:2). So, when you are watching anything (sports, movies, TV, whatever), call it what it is, but don't call it awesome unless it is about God. Work on reserving that word for the only One worthy of its acclaim. There are some things that are only ever be for Him. The word awesome should be on that list. Why? Because He is an awesome God!

1. Do you tend to use awesome for more than describing God?

2. How is God awesome in your life?

3. Today, how can you reflect on God's awesome power and apply it to your daily pursuits?

Workout

1 Chronicles 17:20

Psalm 99:3

Isaiah 40

Bible Reference:

Isaiah 40