Remembering God's Greatness

The events of this week have grabbed the attention of our nation, perhaps the world. Specifically the assasination of Charlie Kirk. Politics aside, he was very outspoken with his faith in Jesus Christ and a model for us all in that. The news of his death was shocking. As troubling as this was, it wasn’t the only tragic news of the day. There was also another school shooting near Denver, Colorado. Both events are destablizing. They contribute to the growing sense of uncertainty about the future of this country. I want to take a moment to speak to the Charlie Kirk shooting as it seems to have taken hold of this country. Some are overwhelmed with grief and perhaps even anger. Others are cheering, which is disturbing. I can understand people not liking Mr. Kirk because of his outspoken views. But to cheer his death reveals a false placed faith. While ideas and ideologies are powerful, they will never be a true savior. And I think many people, even many Christians, have fallen into such thinking. Ideas are important, but ideas alone do not have the power to fix the root of our problem, which is our sinful nature; our corrupted hearts. There is only one way a heart can be changed—and that is by the God who made it. So what do we do with our sadness and anger in such a time? If you don’t believe in the God revealed in the Bible, then you are left in a dangerous position. Such sadness and anger can easily lead to anxiety and despair, or worse, violent acts. When justice seems evasive, there is a great temptation to turn to the sword and go after it yourself. Without faith in the Biblical God, this is a logical outcome. But if you believe in the biblical God, the one revealed to us in Scripture and in Psalms like this, then you have another path. You can walk a path of peace and love and compassion that others cannot. And the reason is quite simple: we have a great God! This is what this Psalm extols. While it is true all the time, this truth only allows us to walk a path of peace and love and compassion when we remember it. Hence, the invitation in the opening line to our own soul. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great!