Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
—Psalm 33:6, 12
Genesis 1 tells us that God spoke, and the universe was created. John 1 tells us that that Speaking—that Word—which was in the beginning, was God, and was the means of creation. And in between, in Psalm 33:6, there is this beautiful confirmation of the biblical doctrine of the creative power of the word: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
And this is the theological basis for God's awesomeness. If God spoke, and everything came to be, why shouldn't everybody in the world be overwhelmed when we think of God? How happy must the people be whose God is this God. I'm not talking about some puny, vindictive god who apes the political opinions of its worshipers and is limited to their imaginings, but the God of creation. Belonging to this God is inexpressibly wonderful.
But we must never forget the words of Jesus: I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice (John 10:16). A voice that can create entire worlds can surely create in me a heart that can see beyond my own self, my own family, my own nation, and include others in my conception of the love of God.
But we must never forget the words of Jesus: I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice (John 10:16). A voice that can create entire worlds can surely create in me a heart that can see beyond my own self, my own family, my own nation, and include others in my conception of the love of God.
I stand in awe of your creative power, God. Create in me the power to love others as much as I love myself, to make neighbors of people I have not yet met; in Jesus' Name, who taught me to pray: Our Father...
