The Tribune

By CARLOS SPENCER

We are often surprised by the power of the Holy Spirit, but as believers we really should not be. God is awesome and He reveals this to us frequently in His word, and by His actions.

Among other things, God is omnipotent (no external limitations); omnipresent (present everywhere at all times), and omniscient (has complete knowledge of everything).

Holy scripture is prolific in its reference to the awesome nature of God. We read in Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV): “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The longer we live, the more we should realise that many of life’s experiences (good or bad) are beyond our control. Yes, we might be able to influence some events, but other matters must be left to a higher power – Our Almighty God.

Isaiah 40:28 (KJV) tells us: “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

Believers know the significance of relying on our Creator, when life seems more than one can bear. Death, unemployment, dissolution of marriages or close personal relationships, loss of material assets, or general misfortune. God is our rock in the storms of life. We understand the importance of being securely fastened to the rock that will not fail us. Our challenge is to remain faithful and patient in the knowledge that we are grounded by the Saviour’s love.

God is a faithful God. It is primarily because of our ability to trust in Him consistently that our faith is developed and His awesome nature is revealed to us. God is able to overcome natural laws by His supernatural actions. Believers have experienced many times that what is impossible with man is possible with God. (Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27) How awesome!

Psalm 147:5 places the awesome characteristic or personality of God into context. The verse reads, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (omniscient) We are blessed to have access to our Heavenly Father, yet many of us do not appreciate this. Even believers tend to err in this regard from time to time. God is ever present (omnipresent) and He is only a prayer away. Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) records: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

It could be argued that faith which is paltry or weak sometimes fails to understand the importance of patience when one is concerned with God. However, the believer is expected to remain patient and hold steadfast to his/her faith. God often tests our faith, but we are reminded of Psalm 27:14 (KJV): “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His word.