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I must have seen the movie, “Fiddler On the Roof,” a half-dozen times. In one scene the portly lead character, Tevye, is in a lively discussion with a group of his Jewish neighbors.
One of them states a strong opinion about whatever the subject was. Tevye looks at him and says, “You’re right!”
A man across the small circle delivers a contrary opinion. “You’re right, too!” Tevye says.
Someone else says, “Wait. He’s right (indicating the first man) and he’s right (indicating the second). They can’t both be right.”
That’s the way I feel when we start arguing about God. One says, “God is great and powerful, glorious and mighty. He’s all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, eternal and good.”
And with Tevye I say, “You’re right.”
Another says, “Jesus is my best friend. I talk to Him like I talk to you. Why just this morning I was saying, ‘You know, Lord, I’ve got this ache in my toe. And did you see how those people acted towards me at church last night? And by the way, Lord, I’d sure appreciate it if you could help me get a parking place and (chatter, chatter, chatter) and could you wait a minute, Lord, I’ve got to go to the bathroom? I’ll be right back.’”
And with Tevye I say, “You’re right too. (Kind of).”
How can God fill the far corners of the universe yet be near enough to hear my weakest cry?
You’re right, too! He’s all that and a lot more. He’s God.
This is for those who know that God comes so close we can feel the warmth of his breath:
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds… The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.… No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Ps147:3, 6, 10 NLT)
And for those who think He’s glorious and powerful:
“He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension! (Ps. 147:3-6 NLT)
(Ps. 147:3-6, 11 Semeur)
Same God. As country singer Hank Snow warbled, “He’s big enough to fill this mighty universe but small enough to live within my heart.”
Our problem comes when we try to limit God to our idea of Him. If I want an intimate God to whom I can confide my smallest need and biggest dreams, He’s that. But, don’t forget, He’s more than that.
If I need a big, powerful God who created the universe with the power of His word, He’s that, too. And more.
When we limit God to our notion of who He is, we lose. We need to GROW in our knowledge of Him—who and how He is.
“…On the contrary, you should grow in grace and in your knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ—to him be glory now and until the dawning of the day of eternity!” ( 2 Peter 3:18, J.B. Phillips)
You mean I can know Him better and better all through my life?
You’re right, too!
Practical:
Talk back to me. How can we know the Lord better? What have you learned about it? I’ll share your responses with other Coffee-Stainers.
Hmmm …
“I can’t make myself love God, but I can come to know him better. And because God is love, the more I come to know him, the more my love for him will grow. Love is a by-product of knowing. »