The greatness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible. God’s greatness refers to His supreme power, glory, majesty, and authority over all of creation. Here are some key things the Bible teaches about the greatness of God:
God is all-powerful
The Bible declares that God is omnipotent, meaning He possesses unlimited power and strength (Jeremiah 32:17). There is nothing too difficult for God (Genesis 18:14). He spoke the universe into existence simply by commanding it to be (Genesis 1:1-31). Even the forces of nature obey God’s voice (Mark 4:39-41). God’s infinite power is displayed through His creation, providence, and miracles.
God is supreme over all
The Bible teaches that God is the supreme ruler over everything. His kingdom rules over all and His dominion endures forever (Psalm 145:13). God is exalted above the heavens (Psalm 108:5) and His name is above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). All authority originates from God and is delegated by Him (Romans 13:1).
God is supremely glorious
The glory of God refers to the fullness of His divine perfections, majesty, beauty, and splendor. Scripture says no one can see God’s face and live, for His glory is too brilliant for mortal eyes (Exodus 33:20). The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory (Habakkuk 2:14). God’s glory far surpasses anything we can imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).
God is worthy of all worship
Because God is supremely powerful, authoritative, and glorious, He alone deserves worship. We are to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). All praise, honor, and thanks are to be directed to God (Revelation 4:11). Even the angels in heaven worship Him continually (Revelation 5:11-14). Our highest purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
God is majestic in holiness
God’s greatness is connected to His absolute moral perfection. He is majestic in holiness (Exodus 15:11), too pure to look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13). His ways and judgments are unsearchable and beyond human understanding (Romans 11:33-36). We can only begin to grasp the edges of His ways (Job 26:14). God is utterly unique and set apart from all of creation.
God’s greatness inspires reverent fear
A right understanding of God’s greatness leads us to fear and revere Him deeply. We are to fear God and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7, Job 28:28). His greatness inspires awe, wonder, and holy fear in our hearts. We tremble before His glory as we recognize our own sinfulness and smallness before Him (Isaiah 6:1-5). Yet this reverence draws us close in humility and dependence.
God cares for His children
Though God is great in power and glory beyond measure, He also cares intimately for His people. Jesus said God even cares about the death of a sparrow, so we can trust Him with our needs (Matthew 10:29-31). Despite His supreme majesty, God listens to and provides for His children (Matthew 7:7-11). His great love compels Him to be actively involved in our lives.
God deserves total allegiance
The appropriate response to God’s surpassing greatness is complete allegiance to Him. We are to have no other gods or idols before Him (Exodus 20:3). Loving and serving God should be the supreme priority of our lives (Matthew 22:37-38). His will must take precedence over ours. We depend on His strength, seek His kingdom, and desire to glorify Him in all we do.
God will judge the world
The Bible warns that one day everyone will stand before God and give account for their lives (Romans 14:12). Jesus Christ has been appointed judge over all (John 5:22, Acts 17:30-31). No one can escape God’s perfect justice and judgment. But those who turn to Christ in repentance and faith will be saved from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
God alone can fully satisfy
Created things will always disappoint, but God’s greatness guarantees He alone can completely satisfy. Only He is able to meet our deepest needs for significance, security, and belonging. Augustine famously said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” We are designed to find ultimate joy in God alone.
God’s greatness brings comfort
God’s omnipotent strength and unlimited power brings comfort in the troubles of life. We can have peace knowing He oversees all things and causes everything to work for our good (Romans 8:28). The God who spoke the universe into being can help us through any difficulty. His plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2).
We are called to proclaim God’s greatness
As people created in God’s image, we are called to recognize, reflect, and proclaim His glory to all nations (Psalm 96:3). Our lives should showcase His surpassing worth. We tell of His salvation from day to day (Psalm 96:2) and declare His marvelous deeds (1 Peter 2:9). His greatness compels us to tell others of His love.
Jesus supremely displays God’s glory
While creation reveals God’s eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20), Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s glory and character. He is described as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). By looking to Christ, we see God’s greatness embodied in human form (John 1:14-18).
God’s kingdom will fill the earth
Though the world feels full of evil and chaos, Scripture promises God’s glory will one day cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Pain and sin will pass away. Every knee will bow to King Jesus and every tongue confess His lordship (Philippians 2:10-11). The earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory and greatness!
God reigns despite circumstances
No matter how bleak circumstances may appear, we must remember God still sits enthroned in heaven (Psalm 2:4). Though nations rage and evil persists, His purposes will prevail (Psalm 33:10-11). God may allow hardship for a time, but He remains all-powerful and in complete control. His kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).
God alone is worthy of worship
Because God is maximally great, possessing infinite perfection, majesty and glory, He alone deserves our worship and adoration. We must resist the temptation to worship created things or false gods. Idolatry fails to recognize God’s unique worthiness (Romans 1:22-23). He will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). God’s supreme value demands our exclusive allegiance.
Relying on God’s strength
When we recognize our human weakness and limitations contrasted with God’s unlimited power and might, it should drive us to rely on His strength rather than our own. We can accomplish infinitely more by His Spirit than we ever could in our own ability (Zechariah 4:6, Ephesians 3:20). Our lives should be marked by humble dependence on God.
Standing in awe of God
A glimpse of God’s greatness leaves us speechless, amazed, and overcome with awe. The angels surrounding God’s throne cry out “Holy, holy, holy!” as they shield their eyes from His brilliant glory (Isaiah 6:3). The only proper response is to fall on our faces before Him. His majestic, breathtaking splendor leaves no room for pride in us.
Longing to know God more
The more we comprehend God’s greatness, the more it inspires longing to know Him even more deeply. His ways and judgments are unsearchable (Romans 11:33), His understanding unimaginable (Psalm 147:5). Eternity itself will not exhaust the infinite riches of knowing Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:8). Our passion is to delight in Him and gaze on His beauty forever.
In summary, recognizing the supremacy of God’s power, worth, glory, and dominion fuels reverent awe and worship of Him. This should inspire both profound humility and supreme adoration that transforms everything about how we live. Our greatest longing should be to treasure and enjoy our infinitely great and glorious God forever.
