Hello & Welcome to my blog that addresses the trials and challenges that we face in our walk with the Lord, “Blessed is anyone who perseveres under trial” (James 1:3).
Shall we keep that ‘corrupted’ word for the King of Kings?
(I have taken this short devotional message – about this word ‘Awesome’ – from my book ‘Daughters Under Trial.’ I wrote ‘Daughters Under Trial‘ for Christian women, but comments I receive prove men are being blessed by the book too… “I realise that ‘Daughters Under Trial’ was written with women in mind, but it blessed me just as much as it did my wife“ Rev. Reynolds. UK).
excerpt taken from Chapter 15 from ‘Daughters Under Trial’ Christine Smith
An Awesome Holiday?
I received a report from WordPress about my blog. When a blog is doing well, WordPress send a report to congratulate them.
My report said, “Christine Smith, Congratulations! Your blog is doing absolutely awesome”
This made me cringe. Why? Well, I believe the word ‘Awesome’ should only be used for the description of God and His awesomeness, like in the Bible. Even though unbelievers don’t know any different – it still pains me when I hear it used to describe so many things – or people.
But many Christians too, in all innocence, are using the word ‘Awesome,’ for almost anything. This is a word that has long been corrupted, just like many other words today that have been changed from their original meaning (i e, ‘gay’ merely meant: happy or jolly).
Whenever I have the time. I like to watch the English programme called ‘It’s Me Or The Dog’ with Victoria Stillwell. I like dogs (if they like me, that is!) and I enjoy this programme on dog training. But the word awesome is used when a dog has responded to training, when ‘amazing’ or ‘great’ or ‘incredible’ would do.
I believe the word ‘awesome’ is Holy, and belonging exclusively to the Master and His great works. It is such a powerful and ultimate word, meaning something so incredibly unbelievably inspiring, and something above and beyond our human reasoning or imagination - that it cannot be associated with the human things it is being used for in today’s vocabulary.
> When we use the word ‘Awesome for anything or everything – what other word is left to describe the King of Kings, the Master of the Universe?
In the Bible the word ‘awesome’ pertained to God or His stunning works which were always: Unspeakable; Powerful beyond all reason; Terrible; Unsearchable; Unfathomable; Wondrous; Fearful; Inexplicable; Unimaginable energy; Inspiring. It was a word to display the awesomeness of God.
I was very grateful for the report from WordPress that my blog is doing well. It was good to know that my devotional messages are being read and are helping and encouraging people. But my blog is not awesome! For me.. only… God and His works are awesome!
*A dog can’t be awesome!
*A good meal can’t be awesome!
*A fabulous holiday isn’t awesome!
*A diet that worked isn’t awesome!
*A car can’t be awesome!
*Even our children can’t be ‘awesome’
“Let them praise Your great and awesome name”(Psalm 99:3.nasv).
“The Lord who is great and awesome” (Nehemiah 4:14.nasv).
“Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works” (Psalm 66:3.nasv).
“Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds” (Psalm 66:5.nasv).
“Let them Praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He” (Psalm 99:3.nasv).
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God” (Deuteronomy 7:21.nasv).
“Our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God…” (Nehemiah 9:32.nasv).
“Around God is awesome majesty”(Job 37:22. nasv).
There can only be One who is awesome! There can only be One who does great and mighty unimaginable awesome deeds. It is the great and mighty ‘Awesome’ One.
Shall we let God completely own this word? Shall we keep the word ‘Awesome’ for Him and Him alone? Then our children, and our grandchildren will really understand and know what God really is – the awesome powerful One.
(there are many other Scriptures pertaining to the word awesome in the ISV version other than the scriptures here).
A Prayer of Praise.
Lord, you are the great and mighty awesome One. We worship You and praise Your Holy name. We acknowledge Your great power. We acknowledge Your awesomeness. You are the great and mighty Creator One of all things. You are the only person who is awesome, yet You are our personal, faithful friend. What humility. My Saviour. My King.
Amen.
end of excerpt.
I am sorry if anyone reading this doesn’t agree with me, or who doesn’t feels as strongly about it as I do. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
This devotional message and prayer was taken from Chapter 15 in ‘Daughters Under Trial’ entitled ‘An Awesome Holiday?‘
‘Daughters Under Trial’ Christine Smith. Copyright 2012. Living Devotions. UK. ISBN. 9780956908827
To order ‘Daughters Under Trial’ go to www.lostinfaith.org
God Bless you.
