“Great”

From: Christian Treasury: Volume 8

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

Our blessed God has put the adjective "great" all throughout the Holy Scriptures. He uses it as a prefix to some of the grand truths He has given us in His Word concerning who He is, what He has done, and how we are blessed in Him!

As to who He is, Moses said, "I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." Ex. 3:3³And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. (Exodus 3:3). Here we see God revealing Himself as the eternal, self-existing, omnipresent One, as we learn later in verse 14, "I AM that I AM.”

In Titus 2:13¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13) God has made Himself known as our "great God and our Savior." Our hope is a glorious and blessed hope and the glory is before us.

God in His "great love" (Eph. 2:4⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)) has shown His riches in mercy in providing a ransom for our souls.

We are encouraged to come boldly before the "throne of grace," seeing that we have "a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God." Heb. 4:14, 16¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14)
¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).

Paul (Saul), on his way to Damascus, was struck down by "a great light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun." Acts 22:6; 26:13⁶And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. (Acts 22:6)
¹³At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. (Acts 26:13).

We can trust God who does "all things well," for "great is Thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:23²³They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23).

As to man's responsibility in accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Lord speaks in the Gospel of Luke: "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many." If man refuses the gospel, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3³How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3).

The incident in Luke 7:9⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Luke 7:9) would exhort us to exercise such as the Lord could say of the centurion, whose servant was sick and ready to die, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

In the early days of the Church, there was great power in witnessing for the Lord Jesus. In the same verse we read, "Great grace was upon them all." Acts 4:33³³And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33). It has been said, "Little is much when God is in it.”

In knowing the Lord Jesus as the good Shepherd, we are privileged to enjoy our Savior as the "great Shepherd of the sheep," and the admonishment for us is to continue on (Heb. 13:20, 21²⁰Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20‑21)).

As we do continue, the Lord's promise to those who serve Him, though going through trial, is, "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven." Matt. 5:12¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:12).

The believer has been given "exceeding great and precious promises." 2 Peter 1:4⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4).

At times there are circumstances that try us—in our employment, with friends and relatives, and even with our brothers and sisters in Christ. James tells us: "For in many things we offend all." James 3:2²For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2). May the Lord help us to be in the good of Psa. 119:165¹⁶⁵Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165), "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

L. J. Totems

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