That's Awesome

When was the last time you were genuinely awestruck?   Gen X’ers, that’s the generation I happen to be a part of, grew up using the word “awesome” to describe everything.

I get that every generation has its own lingo.  If you are a boomer, things were “groovy,” if you were part of the WWII generation, you referred to people as “daddy-o.”  No generation has been exempt from trying to place their own stamp on language. 

There is a problem with “awesome,” though; if everything is “awesome,” then nothing is truly “awesome.”

Back to the question, when was the last time something shook you to your bones?

I can remember a time in my late teens when our family decided to be adventurous and go rafting down the North Platte River in Wyoming.  Mind you, this isn’t exactly white water rafting, it’s more like the lazy river at your favorite water park.  But we got caught in a storm, and just about the time we got the raft up on the river bank and were secure, we saw a blinding flash of lightning and then heard a piercing, deafening crack fractions of a second later. 

We must have been no more than 100 ft from the lightning strike.

That…. was awesome.

But it pales in comparison to how David describes God in Psalm 18.

“Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.  Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.  He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.  He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.  He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water.  Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.  The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire.  And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.  Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.”

(Psalm 18:7-15 ESV)

As awesome as that single lightning strike was, what David describes is exponentially more awesome.

Here’s the good news.

The God that has the power to create and destroy the world in a word is the same God who rescues and shelters those who trust in Him.

“This God-- his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.  For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?--  the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.  He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.”

 (Psalm 18:30-33 ESV)

Our Awesome God is the One Who strengthens us in the storm.

Keep safe, be well, and stay encouraged.

Brian