Names of Jesus Advent: Awesome (December 4)

This advent blog series will help draw you closer to the Person of Jesus, the lover of your soul.

December 4: Awesome

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!”

Psalm 68:35

Most theologians believe Psalm 68 is connected with the coming of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6. Israel found victory over her enemies. Jerusalem was secure. But most importantly, the presence of God had returned.

Interestingly, the title of Psalm 68 is “To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.” ​​As the people marched forward with the Ark, the trumpets sounded, and this song rose up to God. There was a joyful explosion of praise and music centered around the presence of the Lord.

Even though David and the people of Israel were celebrating the return of the Ark, David knew that God was greater than any holy place. He was greater than any holy thing. As wonderful as Israel, Jerusalem, and even the Ark of the Covenant were, God Himself is exceedingly greater.

Too often we are more excited about the benefits of the Lord than the Lord Himself.

We celebrate in victory, blessing, healing, and strength; but do we celebrate whenever we see and meet with Him?

I have concluded that there is no way that I walk in the realization of the awesome wonder of God at all times. My life would look vastly different if I did.

Consider the definition of awesome: “extremely impressive or daunting”.

Can we say that our perspective of God is so extremely impressive that we stand in a daunting awe and wonder of Him? Does the weight of the anticipation of His coming overwhelm you? Do you feel drawn up into a holy ecstasy as you consider Him and His ways?

If you are struggling to say yes to those questions, or even remember the last time you stood in awe of God, I would submit that you need to be still in His presence reflecting only upon who He is and what He has done. 

Our relentless pursuit of Him thrives when we desire to stand in awesome wonder of the greatness of God. 

I find, like David, that singing praises and worshiping God is the best way to magnify your perspective of the Lord.

“We have too much sinning against God, but cannot have too much singing to God.”

- Charles Spurgeon

May we worship God in all of His awesomeness today.

In closing, consider the exhortations of Psalms 66 and 68:

“Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God,
‘How awesome are Your works!’”

Psalm 66:1-3

“Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord…
O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
Blessed be God”

Psalm 68:32-35

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