SURRENDERING OUR HUMAN WEAKNESS TO GOD’S GREATNESS

We are often faced with trials and fears that seem to overwhelm us. According to Psalm 55:5-7, “fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.”

Often our view of God is brought low by the size of the mountain before us because we fail to understand that God is greater than all problems; greater than all our fears. When we begin to focus on God’s greatness, it causes us to realize He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think.

Check out Isaiah’s reference to the greatness of God in Isaiah 40:12-31: “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 out the mountains and the hills? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best? No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all. All Lebanon’s forests do not contain sufficient fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him. All Lebanon’s sacrificial animals would not make an offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are as nothing to him. In his eyes they are less than nothing– mere emptiness and froth. To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him? Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains? Or is a poor person’s wooden idol better? Can God be compared to an idol that must be placed on a stand so it won’t fall down? Have you never heard or understood? Are you deaf to the words of God– the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? It is God who sits above the circle of the earth…”

It goes on and on till verse 31; and this scripture says it all about the greatness of God, and enough for the understanding of both the wise and the unwise.

With the privilege of such a revealing description of God in His mightiness, why then do we prefer to carry the burden of minor challenges of life like we have no hope? As the only creature after God’s own image, He gave us power to dominate the earth and every other creature in it. This is not only limited to the physical, touchable creations, but extends to the tribulations of life. All we need do to have this power of dominion in full is to believe in God, confess our weaknesses and surrender to the supremacy of His powers.

The high mountains and hitches we encounter are only high to our human strength. But the moment we connect to our spiritual capacity through faith in God, He puts the mountain under our command. That is why Mathew 21:21 quotes Jesus’ reply to His disciples thus: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.”

As a christian and firm believer, the bible prepares your mind to the many trials you will face. Psalm 34:19 states clearly that many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. This means that there is a waiting assurance of God’s presence with you at every point of encounter with the affliction, so all you need do is connect to it with a firm believe, without any doubt (just as Christ commanded in Matthew 21.

God never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. May God help us build our faith and trust in Him always. Amen.

It’s a good morning from your early morning gospel friend, Ubong Sampson. Stay blessed!