Awesome

What if you could shatter a tree with just your voice? That would be so cool. The other day, I was at a stoplight, and a vast tree caught my eye. The tree was on the property of a very old church located on a bustling street in a significantly developed area of town. I could not help but wonder about the things that tree had witnessed. Think about it: that tree has been there for a long time, way before the massive churches surrounding it, the shopping centers, the houses, and the condos. That tree has witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly, yet it still stands. 

Did you know that trees can survive forest fires? Most trees are invincible when it comes to fire because they adapt throughout the years by growing thick bark and releasing sticky sap to protect and defend themselves from the flames. Was the tree I saw a cedar? Cedars are known for their size and strength. Cedars are exalted in the Word of God, just like the waves of the sea or the mighty mountains, and yet, the LORD is mightier than them all. 

“The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic, it destroys the cedar trees; makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes. The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise” (Psalm 29).

Here is a fun fact about me: I only use the word awesome in reference to God. Odd? Yes, I know, but it was just something I decided to do a long time ago. I never declared that I would reserve that word for God; I just refuse to use it. Awesome means “to inspire great admiration,” and I do not have great admiration for anyone like I do for the LORD. So, when I read Psalm 29, I found it the perfect occasion to use the word awesome. God is awesome, and Psalm 29 shows just how awesome He is. Whose voice is so powerful that lightning and thunder await His command? Whose power is such that creation rests on the tip of His tongue? Who else can speak to make Bambi give birth? God's awesomeness is displayed here in this passage; here, we have the opportunity to recognize and acknowledge His awesomeness and praise Him. 

We know nothing of real power if we do not stand in awe of Almighty God. Only God can speak and bring forth life; all of creation bows at His feet. Only for God will the rocks cry out in praise. Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds, mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, sea creatures, wild animals, cattle, and birds, let them all praise the name of the Lord (Lk. 19:40, Ps. 148:7-13).

Pay attention to the voice of the LORD; through God's voice, His strength and authority are expressed. Read and study His Word, and listen to the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit. Reserve special praise and admiration just for Him. The Almighty God of Israel is an awesome God; there is none like Him. “The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic” (Ps. 29:3-5). All honor and glory belong to our awesome God; give Him praise!