As I See It – The Power and Majesty Of God

I am writing this article just after Christmas Day and have been listening to some wonderful hymns and Christian songs over the past week. It is amazing how music praising, and honouring God can lift our Spirit and makes us want to worship Him. We have lost so much of this today in our Christian faith. We have lost the connection to the power and majesty of our God. It is through praise and worship that we regain that connection. When we sing hymns, we are praising God and not thinking of ourselves. He wants and deserves to be worshipped. It is not always “about us” it is about our Creator and Saviour that brings us the peace that passes understanding. All glory and majesty belong to Him.

The late Dr. J.I. Packer in his book, “Knowing God”, says that majesty refers to greatness and respect, as in our respect for Her Majesty the Queen (now King Charles III).  The KJV Dictionary Definition: MAJESTY, n.. majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater. “1. Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works. Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps.93.; The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. Ps.29”. Dr. Packer goes on to say that although we have a personal relationship with God, that does not limit Him in His greatness and power. He is always there for us and aware of our troubles in this world.

When we recite the Lord’s Prayer each day, we must remember how powerful the last words are, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen”. (Incidentally, Andrea Bocelli sings a very powerful version of the Lord’s Prayer on YouTube). Also, the words of one of my favourite hymns “O Holy Night” ends with “Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever! His power and glory evermore proclaim!” (David Phelps sings a powerful version of this hymn on YouTube). Music is a very powerful way to honour and give glory to God because as we sing, we concentrate on the music and words we are singing, and they glorify Him. Most hymns were written long ago, and the words are very meaningful and from Scripture. When you sing these words, your thoughts are on Him and you are praising Him. This takes us away from our everyday thoughts and moves us closer to His thoughts. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” “When you praise and worship, you speak, sing, declare, and proclaim who God is and His power, as well as who you are as His child. Again, it reflects a connection—an intimate space—between you and Him.” (From Livingproof.co)

As we enter into the year 2023, we must not let ourselves get so caught up in all the terrible things that are going on around the world that we forget the power and majesty of our wonderful God. We must keep our eyes on Him and remember what He has done for His Israel people in the past when they faltered. He always had a way to bring them back to Him and He will do it again. We are His People, and He will save us as He has in the past. It is so powerful the way David Phelps sings it in O Holy Night, “Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!” He sings it like you must do it now! That is so true. We must fall on our knees now, as the time is short. Our God is coming quickly and what is the state of our relationship with Him. Are we living our lives in praise and worship recognizing His power and majesty? He is our Saviour and will save us from this wicked world if we fall on our knees and repent and worship Him! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:11-13)

This powerful Christian hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”one that glorifies Jesus. It was known as the “National Anthem ofChristendom”.lyrics, written byEdward Perronet, first appeared in the November, 1779 issue of theGospel Magazine, which was edited by the author of “Rock of Ages”,Augustus Toplady. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

After each verse of this wonderful hymn, we sing the refrain to the glory of God.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,

O seed of Israel’s chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,

Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,

Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song.

So, let’s all sing the Refrain

and crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all!