Oh Praise The Greatness Of Our God!
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
(Psalm 119:25-32)
There was a time in my life when I realised that I’ve been a Christian for eight years yet lived a defeated life. At first I was angry at God and wondered if my faith was misplaced. I sat in my misery complaining how God was not moving in my life and that he was afflicting me for no reason.
Like Job, I recounted all my good deeds, believing I did not deserve any of the trouble that has befallen me.
Finally, I cried out to God. I said, “I want to know You. I want to know Who You really are.”
The Lord graciously answered my prayer and I started to learn more about Him as I studied the Bible. He exposed the hidden motives in my heart and I began to see the truth.
In my quest to know the Almighty, He became bigger in my life.
I started to see myself as insignificant next to Him. I started to see how my sins, as little as they seemed to me was an abomination to Him. I began to see His Holiness and Majesty. Godly sorrow leading to repentance took on a whole meaning for me.
Having learned the incomparable riches of His grace bestowed on us, the amazing love that Jesus had in scorning the shame of the cross He had to endure for us, the faithfulness of the One who cannot lie, I set out to learn even more. His Word became my delight and to this day, I continue to run joyfully the race He has set before me!
That was 11 years ago.
Now, when bad things happen, I no longer cry, “Unfair!”
Instead, I say this:
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.
(Deuteronomy 32:3-4)
–Rochelle Mendoza