behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. all the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. [isaiah 40:15-17]
we could never offer enough praise to our God for the infinite amount and intensity of his glory and majesty. the only things we have to compare to God’s glory are things here on earth. so we talk about the mountains, the forests, the sea and the sky, and the nations, the biggest things we can fathom here. and still, we can come nowhere close. these things are but a shadow of his greatness.
even though we cannot comprehend the greatness of our God, we are called and commanded to strive to this end. to know our God and his goodness, and to proclaim him to the world, to grow in his grace, and to seek his face, are the main focus of our efforts here on earth.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. [2 peter 3:18]
how do we grow in the grace of Christ? how do we grow our view of the grace of Christ? a book i read years ago had a graphic similar to this one to explain the concept…
at the time of our conversion, we realize we are a sinner standing in judgment before a holy God, in need of his grace. we accept his grace and forgiveness. but as we grow to know him more, our view of how holy and majestic he is grows. simultaneously, this shows us the depth of our own sin and lowliness. the gap between creature and Creator grows in our minds. now, without having accepted his grace and forgiveness, this disparity would drive us to despair. but thanks be to God for his mercy and grace! having laid our sin at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, we now have purpose in learning the disparity. this purpose is that God’s grace looks larger and larger to us all the time. the realization of these three truths grows together, and so grows our worship of an infinitely glorious and gracious God!
today, may we look to grow in our knowledge of his glory and holiness. may we realize more and more the disparity between his holiness and our sinfulness, between his glory and our lowliness. and may it lead us to greater, thankful worship as his grace grows larger in our eyes.
~arwen eastman