“O Lord, Our Lord…”
Genesis 1:1-2;26b-2:3
Psalm 8:1-9
“O Lord, our Lord how majestic in your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8 is a wonderful song of Praise! It’s unique in that out of 150 Psalms, this is the only one that’s spoken entirely to God. The Psalmist extols God’s sovereign majesty and stands in wonder of God’s creativity and grace…
Have you ever stood in wonder… awe struck wonder of the majesty of God? I mean… there are moments when the glory of God just hits you; moments when you catch a glimpse at the greatness of God; moments of clarity, moments of amazement, moments of grace. And you just have to pause and take it all in.
I don't know about you, but I see God’s glory in nature: in the star filled sky on a cloudless night. In the colors of a sunrise or sunset. I sense God’s might in crashing waves, I feel it in the power of the wind. I see the glory of God in the trees and the sky. I’ve witnessed God's creative will in the simplest of things, like fireflies, and wild-flowers. Of course, I also see the glory of God revealed in people, in the love of God in family and friends. In the simple act of forgiveness. I see God’s grace, time and again, working in the lives of our churches.
“O Lord, our Lord how majestic in your name in all the earth!” The Church has often pondered the greatness of God. One product of that pondering is the doctrine of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity says that there is One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all existed before time and are equal because they are all one.
This is one of those beliefs that gives some heartburn, despite being a core essential tenant of our faith. Other religions (and even some Christian denominations) say there’s no way 3 can equal 1! Either you have one God or three gods. But God’s Word presents and reveals to us a God who’s so great “majestic” that describing him pushes the limits of our vocabulary, not to mention our understanding!
So… we’ve found ways to symbolize this truth. A triangle is one shape with three sides and three angles. Elementary school children can tell you, that water exists in three forms: ice, liquid water, and steam yet all three are still water. St. Patrick, when he was taking the Gospel to Ireland, used the shamrock. It has three leaves, but it’s one plant. These are all simple examples of how God is one God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
The psalmist declares, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic in your name in all the earth!" He lifts a song of praise to the wonder and greatness of God. He says "You have set your glory above the heavens," yet "Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a stronghold (a fortress) against your enemies.” Even the most vulnerable find safety, a refuge from chaos, in the creative order of God.
Of course, we almost subconsciously accept the greatest revelations of God’s glory… from scripture. God spoke the heavens, the universe, into existence… His Spirit hovered over the deep as the oceans were created and dry land appeared. His creative actions are obvious displays of His glory… but there are others:
Things like the parting of the Red Sea, Isaiah’s encounter with God in the Temple… or God’s presence leading the Hebrew’s through the wilderness by a pillar of fire and smoke. Jesus’ walking on water and turning water into wine – not to mention his Resurrection… are grand displays of God’s glory.
Just last Sunday, we heard of the Power of Pentecost… as the sound of a mighty rushing wind captured everyone’s attention, and people from all over the known world could hear the Gospel being proclaimed in their own language! We accept the grand revelations of God’s glory from scripture as Truth, and we build our faith upon such truth.
Yet, most often… the Triune Glory and Majesty of God is displayed in much more ordinary ways. The simplest of words and most common occurrences… because God’s glory is revealed to us through his ever-present grace in our lives.
One Sunday, our family was having Brunch at LaGrange College following our 9:30 am worship service. Matthew made his way along the buffet line until he reached the bacon, where he proceeded to literally load his plate! Nothing but bacon! When the cafeteria worker noticed she made him put most of it back, which was the right thing to do. But later, Matthew said, “But Jesus wanted me to get a plate full.” And while that may, or may not be true of bacon… it’s certainly true of God’s grace. God offers us grace upon grace already given! Revealing the Glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the process.
Think about it: every single “Meals on Wheels” delivery is display of God’s grace, and reveals God’s glory. Every donation to the Little Free Pantry… every volunteer who gives an hour or two at the Food Closet. Every sandwich put together for volunteers building houses for the poor… Every time you and I extend our hands in service to Christ (through the power of the Holy Spirit at work with us) we’re displaying God’s glory, in a small, yet mighty way.
If you and I only see God in the grand and majestic acts of his greatness… we’ll risk missing the works of God in, and through our lives. And if we miss God’s glory in our lives… can we know God’s glory at all?
Of course, there are certainly times in life when we wonder, along with the Psalmist, “Who are we that God should care for us?” Who am I that God would choose to reveal his glory in & through me? Yet God did care for us and does care for us. In fact, God loved us enough to send his son. And Jesus came as God in the flesh to experience our limited existence, while showing us the extent of God’s love. And he loves us so much, that he refuses to leave us to our own devices… he empowers us with his grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic in your name in all the earth! God is truly Great! Our only proper response is to join with the Psalmist in offering our voice to this song of praise… in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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