Monday, October 28, 2024

        My current Bible reading and study time is devoted to Luke’s gospel.  You may have read Luke’s gospel recently too.  It spans twenty-four chapters.  It moves quickly.  The writer, Luke, was a physician by training and vocation.  He wrote his gospel to an unknown person by the name of Theophilus (1:1-3).  Interestingly, the same name, Theophilus, is mentioned in Acts 1:1.  Most students of the New Testament would conclude that Luke wrote Acts in addition to the gospel that bears his name.  One of Luke’s key verses is 1:4 which says, “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  Simply put, Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this gospel to introduce us to the person and work of Jesus Christ. 
            As we read through Luke’s gospel, we find a real gem of a verse in Luke 9:43.  This verse is only ten words long but it serves as a powerful tribute to God and His power and holiness.  Luke wrote, “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.”  When was the last time you found yourself amazed at the greatness of God?  When was the last time your breath was captured or taken away by a mighty movement of God?  Someone wrote that many Christians are lacking a sense of awe and amazement at the works of the Lord.  Maybe you would number yourself among those who are lacking awe and amazement.  There is no need to remain that way.
            Some find themselves amazed at a stirring sunrise or sunset.  I found myself amazed at the power and rhythmical majesty of ocean waves this summer.  The sound those waves made crashing on the seashore created a cacophony of praise to the Hands that had made them and set them free.  Some parents are amazed at God’s greatness when they hold their newborn child for the first time.  Indeed, Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Others might be equally moved or amazed by a worship song, a favorite passage of Scripture or a life-changing sermon or Bible lesson that has remained locked in their memory for years.
            Luke calls us to be amazed at the greatness of God.  And rightly so.  If we have lost our awe and wonder about God then we are in a perilous place.  Complacency and indifference can easily follow and consume us.  As we move toward Thanksgiving in just over four weeks, we may find ourselves amazed by the bounty of blessings that God has extended to us this year.  When we are amazed by God’s greatness, we realize that we have a gracious and loving Lord who has invited us to serve Him, walk with Him and know Him.  The disciples were amazed when Jesus calmed a raging storm.  We can be amazed when God provides the grace we need to forgive an enemy.  We can be amazed by the strength God provides when we find ourselves hanging on by mere threads.
            Luke’s word about amazement comes at the end of a healing story.  Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy that the disciples were powerless to help or heal.  The Lord seemed to suggest in 9:41 that the reason for the disciples’ failure was a lack of belief and sin (though this could be a debatable interpretation).  The point is that a lack of amazement can, at times, weaken our faith.  We can begin to see God and the things of God in an ordinary way rather than a life-changing one.  Take time to be amazed—even by the small things that God does and gives.  Be amazed by your own breathing and the abundance of oxygen that God provides.  Be amazed by your children or grandchildren and the joys they bring to you.  Be amazed that God would extend grace to you or me when we are in no way deserving of such a treasure.  Be amazed by the greatness of the night sky.  The creation declares, and even screams out, the glory of the Lord. 
            Rediscover your amazement today.  Consider what captures your heart or thrills your soul.  And give God the glory for what you find or see.  Let God’s Word guide you on that journey.  Trust the Lord and watch how He works in your life.  Be amazed by what God has given to you or done in your life.  Have a great Monday!  Remember you can always share our worship at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.  Some of us are reading Thom Rainer’s book Pray and Go.  Today is Day 2.  Continue to pray for the lost people you know who have not come to know and love the Lord and the joys of His salvation.