Awesome

“It is a glorious phrase of the New Testament, that ‘he led captivity captive.’ 

The very triumphs of His foes, it means, he used for their defeat. He compelled their dark achievements to sub-serve his end, not theirs.

They nailed him to the tree, not knowing that by that very act they were bringing the world to his feet.

They gave him a cross, not guessing that he would make it a throne.

They flung him outside the gates to die, not knowing that in that very moment they were lifting up all the gates of the universe, to let the King of Glory come in.

They thought to root out his doctrines, not understanding that they were implanting imperishably in the hearts of men the very name they intended to destroy.

They thought they had defeated God with His back the wall, pinned and helpless and defeated: they did not know that it was God Himself who had tracked them down.

He did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil. He conquered through it.”

James Stewart (1896–1990) was a minister of the Church of Scotland

I recently heard of this writing by James Steward, and it just blew me away.  I read each line and it puts me more and more in awe of our God.  Who is like Him?!?!  Who is like our God?!?!  Who could think like Him?  Who could plan our salvation out in such a glorious and mind bending way?  

1 Corinthians 1:18-25  8 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

God is so opposite of anything the world is or ever will be.  He is far above anything or anyone we can dream of.   Isaiah 55:8  My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.   And I love this about Him.  How wonderful and comforting and safe.  Nothing surprises our Father.  And even when all seems wrong....He has the right plan.  We see such evil in the world, but the ruler of this world is a defeated foe.  We can overcome Him by the blood of the Lamb and the power of our God.  

I love You Lord.  You amaze me.  You are so more than we can imagine, so far above our thoughts and knowledge.  Knowing this makes us know how safe we are in Your hands.  

Jeremiah 10:6 Lord, there is no one like you!  For you are great, and your name is full of power.  I just praise and worship You this morning Lord.  Hallelujah!!  

Read and think about each line in this passage by James Stewart today...let it fill your heart with praise and wonder.