God is greater than anything. Do you believe that? We’ve probably all believed in God’s power for our friend or family member’s circumstances, but it’s much harder to accept it for ourselves because it’s personal and we’re enmeshed in the situation.
Life is hard. Circumstances are difficult. Whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, adoptive mom or widow, happy or depressed—we all will encounter situations that test our faith.
How many of you are experiencing something right now that’s making you weary, has you concerned, or is overwhelming? Me, too! It all comes back to that one word—greater. GOD IS GREATER!
The Bible tells us “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). If you have accepted Christ, then the power of the living God resides in you and it is greater than anything!
He is the same God who:
• Parted the Red Sea
• Saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego without even a singed hair or smelling of smoke
• Shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel
• Fed the 5,000 with loaves and fishes
• Calmed the sea
Nothing you are facing is too difficult for him to handle:
• The co-worker or boss who is making your work day miserable
• The overdue bills
• The diagnosis from the doctor
• Being overwhelmed with all there is to do
• The rebellious teenager
• Wondering how to save for retirement or pay for college
Consider these verses:
2 Chronicles 32:7—Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for there is a greater power with us.
Psalm 139:5—You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
God promises we will not be overcome or defeated because we have a God who goes ahead of us, walks beside us, has our rear guard. Even if we feel we’ve lost the battle, Christ tells us that he won the war on the cross. Nothing can prevail against us if we are in the sanctuary of his protection. The perfect analogy is living beneath the umbrella of his protection. If we follow God’s guidelines then it’s like standing under his umbrella. As the rains cascade or winds blow, we are protected as he holds the umbrella over us.
But we can’t be lackadaisical and say, “Oh, God is great, so I’m going to sit on the couch and watch The Bachelor and he’ll fix my lawn mower and pay my electric bill.” God’s not going to show up like Superman. We have a responsibility in the relationship. We believe, hope, trust, abide, surrender, and live in him, and then he can work.
When we have a strong relationship with Christ, then he can move in our situation and circumstances. We can recognize his movement or know the path to take. It might be that God provides financially through your church or he changes our attitude or we accept our situation. We continue to be thankful and praise him during the battle.
Sometimes I mess up. I don’t trust God or I wander from his path and think that I’ve failed. Maybe you believe God is greater, but you think you’ve messed up so badly that he won’t help because you’ve disappointed him.
These are God’s reassuring promises: “I offer grace. I have redeemed you. I love you. I will always welcome and accept you. You can always come back under the protection of my umbrella.”
I don’t possess supernatural insight or knowledge into how God operates. I don’t understand why he doesn’t move in certain ways or answer our cries immediately, BUT I know that God is good, God is faithful, and God is loving. God IS greater.
