What Makes God So Awesome?
Share
It’s commonplace to describe people, events, surprises, and even dessert as “awesome.” But God is also described as awesome, and nothing and no one comes anywhere close to His awesomeness.
What does the Bible say about our awesome God? Is He rightly described as “awesome”? Are there other adjectives that describe Him? Here are some thoughts to ponder.
What Does ‘Awesome’ Really Mean?
Some of the synonyms for the adjective “awesome” help to color the word: amazing, astonishing, marvelous, wondrous, incredible. Antonyms also flesh out the meaning, in reverse: unremarkable, boring, unimpressive, ordinary. Sadly, the world, and sometimes even Christians, see God in terms of those negatives.
The Hebrew word related to “awesome” is multifaceted when it refers to God. Yare’ means to fear or be afraid; to be awed; to cause astonishment; to inspire reverence; and to show reverence, honor, and respect. The term used in the King James Version is “fearful” or “terrible,” as in Psalm 47:2: “For the LORD most high is terrible.” The English usage of the word when the King James Version was published meant a reverent fear of God. This was later translated as “awesome.”
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “awesome” as “inspiring awe.” Taking that one step further, “awe” is defined as “an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.”
Essentially, awe of God means we fear Him — we revere Him and continually submit to Him in humility and faith. We worship Him, knowing He is God and we are not. And we meditate on the wonders of His Personhood and works as described in the Bible.
Where in the Bible Is God (or His Works) Described as ‘Awesome’?
In 1953, J. B. Phillips wrote Your God Is Too Small to help people understand how they put God in a box. The true God is immense. The word “awesome” is used throughout the Old Testament in relation to God or things associated with Him.
God is called the “great and awesome God” in Deuteronomy 7:21 and Nehemiah 1:5. He is awesome in His majesty (Job 37:22), His holiness (Psalm 99:3), and His glory (Exodus 15:11). God is awesome in His sanctuary (Psalm 68:35). He comes to us in awesome majesty (Job 37:22). God is “more awesome than all who surround him” (Psalm 89:7).
His name is to be honored and respected. His people are instructed to revere his “glorious and awesome name,” because He is holy (Deuteronomy 28:58; Psalm 99:3).
God is also awesome in His deeds (Psalm 65:5; 66:3, 5). He performs “great and awesome wonders” (Deuteronomy 10:21; Psalm 77:11-14). Both the patriarch Job and the Psalmist declared that thanks should be offered “to him who alone does great wonders” — wonders that “cannot be fathomed” (Job 9:9-10; Psalm 136:4). The awesome God performs mighty miracles to display His power (Psalm 77:14).
Is ‘Awesome’ an Appropriate Adjective for God?
Songwriter Rich Mullins wrote the hymn, “Awesome God” in 1988 — a song reworked and revived in recent years by Michael W. Smith. Christ-followers worldwide sing of the awesome God who “reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love.”
Some people say the word “awesome” should be reserved for God alone, because to call anything else awesome is to reduce God’s awesomeness. At any rate, “awesome” is an appropriate word to use for God, and it’s not to be used flippantly. The Psalmist rightly asks, “Who is like the LORD our God?” (Psalm 113:5). He is unequaled and unsurpassed. Anyone who doubts God’s superiority might grab a theology book for a refresher course concerning His being, attributes, and mighty works.
God is the great “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14-15) — the “forever” name He gives to Himself, denoting His self-existence and eternality. He always was, and always will be. Trying to wrap our thoughts around that will create a sense of awe.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It’s been suggested that the study of astronomy helps us worship God. Why? The heavens declare His glory, and the skies above proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). While the word “Creator” is a noun, God is called the faithful Creator. He established heaven and earth and gives breath to earth’s inhabitants. His creations are amazing. He is our Maker. As Isaiah said, “We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). Humans are His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10). The Creator is definitely awe-inspiring!
He is the “God of Heaven.” He sits enthroned on high. In Old Testament worship in the Tabernacle, God’s manifest presence was enthroned “between the cherubim.” God is said to ride across the heavens on clouds, making the clouds His “chariot.” He also sits above the circle of the Earth. Picture that! Our God is truly an awesome God!
What Are Some Other Adjectives That the Bible Uses to Describe God?
God is called Most High. He is elevated over all earthly gods, superior to them in every way. He is called the “Most High,” “God Most High,” “the Most High God,” and is addressed, “O Most High.” He is the only true God.
The word almighty is another strong descriptor. God is called The Almighty, God Almighty, LORD God Almighty, LORD Almighty, Mighty God, and Mighty One. His power is displayed throughout creation, and we rightly express wonder. God is great — “the great God” (Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 95:3; Daniel 2:45; Titus 2:13). His name is great, worthy of praise (Psalm 99:3).
God is described as eternal, as in “the eternal God is our refuge.” He is the eternal King with an eternal kingdom. The word “everlasting” is also used to describe God and His kingdom. Humans imagine a God who is from “everlasting to everlasting” (Neh. 9:6) — always existing. He will live forever in “eternal glory.”
While we are in awe of His might and eternality, we wonder that God calls Himself our Father. Our Heavenly Father is the “father of compassion” who has “lavished” love on us (1 John 3:1). He is our “glorious Father.”
Speaking of glorious, God has a glorious name. He has set His glory in the heavens (Psalm 8:1), and the whole earth is full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3). He is worthy to receive honor and glory from us (Rev. 4:11). The Bible also describes the majesty of God. He is majestic in His power, in His works, and in His holiness. He has a majestic name (Psalm 8:1, 9; 29:4; Micah 5:4) and a majestic voice (Isaiah 30:30). “Majesty” or “majestic” is often accompanied by the word “splendor.”
We cannot fathom the depths of holiness in our “holy God” (Joshua 24:19; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Hosea spoke of the “Holy One among you” and “the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 71:22; 78:41; Isaiah 1:4; 10:20; 12:6). Related to God’s holiness is His righteousness. Our righteous God is morally correct, right, and upright.
Our Father God is also a great King. He is referred to as “my King,” the “eternal king,” the “King of glory,” the “great King,” the “King over all the earth,” and “King of the nations.” All dominion belongs to Him, and He will sovereignly rule “with great glory” and “with an iron scepter” (Isaiah 24:23; Revelation 19:15-16).
God is also our Savior and redeemer.. He’s our savior in salvation and from our enemies. He is under no obligation to save anyone (Job 41:11), but He is the hope of all.
Three descriptors often make people uncomfortable, but they are reasons for awe. First, God is a “jealous God” (Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24). It is holy jealousy, meaning He is jealous of His relationship with His people. He loves His children and doesn’t want them destroyed by idolatry. Second, God is an avenging God. His vengeance is His promise to avenge the blood of martyred saints and to take action against His enemies. Third, God is a judge. He’s the righteous judge who judges justly, fairly. He judges both individuals and nations. The Bible says we will all stand before this just Judge and “give account” (Hebrews 4:13; James 5:9). Christians will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ regarding how they served God. If we have a right understanding of God’s sovereign authority and power, we will not take that lightly.
What other adjectives describe God? He is immortal, immutable (unchanging), and incomparable. God is omniscient (knows all things), omnipresent (everywhere present), and omnipotent (all powerful). He is the “only wise God” — His thoughts are higher than ours, nothing simply “occurs” to Him, and no one gives Him advice. He is our “faithful God,” trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. God is beautiful in the house of the Lord. He is a “forgiving and “merciful” God. He is good — His goodness is abundant! He is our refuge and fortress. He is our refiner, testing our hearts. He is the “gracious God.”
This only scratches the surface of all the wonderful adjectives and descriptors for our awesome God!
How Does It Encourage Us Today that God Is Awesome?
God’s awesomeness should stir up a number of feelings in our hearts. The sheer magnitude and majesty of who God is — awesome in His uniqueness — should inspire wonder. Our hearts should long for Him, as anyone else is a poor substitute. God is awesome in His being and reputation, and awesome in His blessings to us. Consequently, we should continually praise Him and express our gratitude for all His “benefits.” In our deepest struggles and trials, we need to remember who God is so we will not fret, or feel confused or defeated.
When God shows us who He is, we may cower in fear like Moses, Isaiah, or Paul. We might sense how sinful we are in relation to our holy God, as when Isaiah met the Lord. He cried out, “Woe to me! . . . I am ruined!” We should be encouraged that God reveals Himself so we can see our true state and respond to Him in repentance and faith.
God is awesome in blessing His people, but also when He needs to punish them. When the wayward Israelites continued to disobey God and dabble in idolatry, He sent them into captivity (Jeremiah 29:1) and scattered them (Daniel 9:7-8, cp. Dan. 9:4). We can never forget that our loving God is mighty in His sovereign actions to show His people their sinful hearts and draw them back to Himself — even if that means great suffering.
The prophet Samuel, in his farewell address, told God’s people, “Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” Yet Isaiah also warned them what would happen if they refused to trust God and obey. Believers today must keep in mind that one definition of “awesome” is reverent fear of God. Reverence for God should encourage joyful obedience and surrender to His will.
Our God truly is an awesome God, worthy of our highest praise and most humble service. “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!” (Romans 11:36). Amen!
Source
Discipleship Ministries, “History of Hymns: ‘Our God Is an Awesome God’
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Antonio Guillem
