The Truth is the Light
By Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Senior Columnist
Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” We are nearing the end of the professional football season and we are measuring greatness. Individual accolades recognize the “Most Valuable Player,” the best defensive player, the best offensive player, most yards gained by a running back, most catches and yards gained by a receiver, and most touchdowns versus interceptions thrown by a quarterback. That’s not all. There is the award for Coach of the Year and the coveted Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Prizes are awarded through a comprehensive selection process, carefully measuring every eligible competitor’s contribution to the sport. The results are held in confidence until the day of the big announcement. The truth of the matter is, most greatness is measurable once we establish the standards.
How could we measure the greatness of God? How can we place a value on an incalculable and eternal force? David proclaimed His greatness is unsearchable. The truth is, we cannot measure a God who is immeasurable, unmatchable, and indisputable?
There is no rod that can calculate God’s inestimable power, no pole that can calculate God’s enormous influence, and certainly no formula that can quantify the value of God’s creation. There is no way to appraise God’s might, majesty, and mercy as there is no one against whom we can compare Him, He is God.
We must all confess that at some point in our lives, we have had to decide whether or not God was worthy of our attention. Unfortunately, there are some that are still deciding. Certainly, when we measure His impact on our life, His worth to our soul, and His importance to our future, for most of us the decision is obvious.
Our God is ever in motion, yet always at rest and ever-seeking. He lacks nothing. Our God stands in judgment, yet forgives with full measure a debt that is already paid. God is unspoiled, unblemished, flawless, and faultless. God is comprehensively and exhaustively supreme. Though many have tried, we cannot dispute the greatness of God. We have heard several folks on barstools and porches with buddies and neighbors try to argue their case against the greatness of God but before they can offer a summation or closing argument, another soul is confessing God’s omnipotence and omnipresence.
Some argue we could measure God’s greatness by how many people show up on Sunday for a free performance of the His Holy Spirit or by how many recover from sickness. What about those who, by the grace of God, have never experienced sickness?
Malachi 3:6 reminds us, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.” Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” Measuring then is a waste of time for we must conclude God’s greatness is immeasurable!
The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Pine Grove AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
