“It Is Not Enough!”
October, 2021
My Good friend:
We surely know the truth that our God is able, ultimately in control, and despite His insistence that we contribute to His efforts God’s purpose will be accomplished. As was written long ago, “…I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose…I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it” (Isa.46:9-11). God does seem quite adamant in telling Isaiah He will accomplish what He wishes. And we need to be at least as adamant in our confidence in His plans. Yet, we at times seem to display uncertainly, questions, even looking for other options.
Actually we are in good company when we do so, for our Lord in the garden asked for another option. But He knew, as we must, that God is not unsure, mulling over other options, or indecisive. Which brings me to the point, our God is in fact so much more than we can ever imagine. Whatever we think we know about that time in the Garden of Gethsemane, about the crucifixion of Jesus, it will be insufficient. It is not enough! What ever we imagine of God’s holiness or His justice, it is not enough. Obviously then nothing we have as yet experienced of His love will exhaust the enormity of His love. And nothing we can ever write, think, or dream of will come close to fully encompass all there is of God. That is until that day when we stand before His very presence. That moment will overwhelm us, when we see Him face to face and understand fully (1 Cor.13:12).
Do we only see Jesus, as the meek wonder worker who taught with those beautiful parables while walking the shore of Galilee, only to be arrested, murdered, and then to rise again? This is all true, but is that all? The Israelites properly feared God, knowing that His very presence was a devouring fire (Ex.24:17; Dt.4:24; Isa.50:3). God even said He would “not go among (them) lest I consume you in the way, for you are a stiff necked people” (Ex.33:3).
This God we Christians don’t seem to know, but maybe, if we really knew Him, we might exhibit a little fear, rather than so much casualness, and ease. For Jesus told us “do not fear those who kill the body .… fear Him who after He has killed, has the power to cast into hell, yes, I tell you fear Him” (Lk.12:4-5)! Believe me Jesus is not speaking of Lucifer! He speaks of God! We need a healthy “fear” of God. I know, it is usually absent in our Sunday worship, but we need to be in “awe” of who He is, and what He can do, and what He has promised to do.
This means that what ever we have been taught, think, or believe our God is so much larger, and it is never enough. An inspired Isaiah said it well, “To whom then will we liken God, or what likeness compare Him? An idol a workman casts it…to set up an image that will not move. Have you not known? Have you not heard?…Have you not understood from the beginning of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth…who stretches out the heavens like a curtain…who brings princes to naught, and make the rulers of the earth as nothing…to whom will you compare me…the Holy One” (Isa.40:18,20-23,25). This very universe exists by His Word, and “in Him all things hold together” (Col.1:17). The universe’s vastness is beyond comprehension, billions and billions of light years across and expanding. And so finely balanced that it requires God’s “hand” so that our life, any life is possible.
We too often see but dimly, hold our faith too feebly, and try to avoid real confrontation, when we have a God that this world of ours, so filled with abominations should really dread. We fear a virus, so we beyond belief wear masks that can’t possibly stop it. We line up for vaccinations that fade too quickly, but have created a lot more billionaires. We witness utter disarray and death, only to realize it’s caused by the incompetence of our leaders. We apologies too much for things we’re not responsible for, and worry too much about the future, forgetting that our God wants so much more for us than any potentate, prince, premier, or president can ever provide. Whatever we imagine God can do, whatever we believe will constitute His judgment, whatever you imagine He wants to bring to you, whatever your heart says about His love, it is not enough.
We need to be in awe of this God, for what we feel is not enough,
Thomas Randolf Wyatt
