GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD

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For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.”  Isaiah 57:15

In the classic children’s book series, The Chronicles of Narnia, the reader is often reminded that Aslan is not a tame lion. When the eldest Pevensie girl, Susan, is told that Aslan is a lion, she says, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he– quite safe?” The friendly Mr. Beaver responds, “Safe? . . . who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” 

Like Susan, who had misconceptions about Aslan, we often have misconceptions about God. A lot of these misconceptions arise when we downplay either God’s greatness or his goodness. When we talk about God’s greatness, we refer to God’s attributes that belong to God alone—such as infinity and omnipresence. When we talk about God’s goodness, we refer to God’s attributes that humans can also have—such as mercy and kindness. If you focus only on God’s greatness, you may have a hard time believing that he loves you, especially under challenging circumstances. But if you focus only on God’s goodness, you may start to think of him as a “tame lion” who lacks power. 

In Isaiah 57, the prophet rebukes the Israelites for their unfaithfulness. Instead of worshiping the one true God, they’ve turned to the powerless gods of surrounding nations. The people don’t remember their great and good God, for if they did, they could never worship another. 

Isaiah had a profound revelation of God’s greatness, often giving him the name, the Holy One of Israel. He reminds the people that God is the All-Mighty who dwells in the high and holy place and inhabits eternity. But Isaiah doesn’t stop there. He then reminds the people that the Lord is the one who is with the lowly in spirit. Not only is he a great God, awesome and holy, but he is good, reviving those who come to him in humility and repentance. Surely a God such as this is worthy of all of our worship. 

But so often, we’re like the Israelites. We forget how awesome our great and good God is. We allow other people, objects, ideas, goals, dreams—the list goes on and on—to steal the worship only he deserves. This week, we will be exploring the attributes of God in two categories: his greatness and goodness. In considering his greatness, we’ll learn that he is transcendent, unchanging, and sovereign. In looking at his goodness, we’ll examine how God is just, long-suffering, and kind. As we meditate on God’s greatness and goodness this week, may the Holy Spirit reveal our misconceptions and hidden idols, that we may redirect all of our worship to the only one who is worthy. 

Because God is great and good, he is worthy of our worship.

Reflect

1. Which aspect of God’s character is harder for you to believe—his greatness or his goodness? Why do you think that is? 
2. List all the reasons you believe God is worthy of your worship.

Pray

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,  
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:  
“I dwell in the high and holy place,  
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,  
to revive the spirit of the lowly,  
and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

O God in heaven, there is none like you. You are great, mighty, and powerful, yet you are good, kind, and just. None of your characteristics overshadow the others. You are worthy of my worship, not only because of what you have done for me, but because of who you are. You are an awesome God. Lord, I pray that this week your Holy Spirit would teach me to better understand your greatness and your goodness. Open my eyes to see you at work in my life and in the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.